TZOB Labels Agriculture a National Security Issue

September 13, 2026 · TZOB

Şemsi Bayraktar, President of the Turkish Agricultural Chambers Union (TZOB), emphasized that the agricultural sector, under geopolitical risks and climate pressure, has become a national security matter.

Kayseri's Production Potential and Visit

Şemsi Bayraktar, President of the Turkish Agricultural Chambers Union (TZOB), met with district chamber presidents, headmen, and producers in Kayseri as part of his regional field visits. At the meeting, hosted by Abdulkadir Güneş, Chairman of the Kayseri Provincial Coordination Board of Agricultural Chambers and Kocasinan Agricultural Chamber, the city's agricultural capacity was discussed. Stating that Kayseri is critical in the production of potatoes, sugar beets, lentils, snack sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds, beyond its industrial identity, TZOB President Şemsi Bayraktar made the following assessment:

'Therefore, we are in an agricultural city, and Kayseri makes a very significant contribution to ensuring Turkey's food security.'

Food Security and Geopolitical Risks

Drawing attention to the fact that food supply is an indispensable need, TZOB President Şemsi Bayraktar emphasized the strategic nature of the sector with the following words:

'Agriculture is a very strategic sector, the only sector that never goes out of fashion. You have the chance to postpone all your needs, but you cannot postpone food. If you cannot access food, the source of life, you will lose your life.'

Stating that global conflicts and logistical risks necessitate basic food stocks, TZOB President Şemsi Bayraktar highlighted the security dimension, noting:

'Our region is on fire, it carries geopolitical risks. It is uncertain where the wars in our region will lead. During the pandemic, most countries could not find 1 kg of wheat; we must maintain certain stocks. Because we are in the middle of a fire. There are leaders in the world who have lost their minds, and it is uncertain where these leaders will take the world. Especially for essential products, if you cannot stock a certain amount of food, you will face very big problems tomorrow. When you look at it this way, we see that it is a national security issue.'

Rising Input Costs and Supports

Bayraktar emphasized that input prices must be closely monitored for producers to remain on the field, pointing to increases in diesel, fertilizer, pesticide, and feed costs. Stating that fluctuations in the oil market directly affect production costs, TZOB President Şemsi Bayraktar made the following statements regarding input supports:

'Our situation would be very bad without state support. But despite all this, we see that diesel, fertilizer, pesticide, and feed prices are increasing. It is beneficial to frequently review support policies where costs are rising. It is important to closely monitor input costs in the coming period and shape basic supports accordingly.'

Natural Disasters and Climate Pressure

Reporting that the agricultural sector has faced serious climate-related damages in recent years, TZOB data shows that frost disasters were recorded in 65 provinces last year. Describing the drought and excessive rainfall damages observed in the field, TZOB President Şemsi Bayraktar described the climate conditions as follows:

'I saw branches and trunks drying out. Following that, we faced and experienced a serious drought threat. This year we were lucky, we had rain. But in some places, I regret to say that excessive rainfall brought disaster.'

Bayraktar stated that farmers should be protected with positive discrimination against all these risks.

Critical Decline in Young Farmer Numbers

Emphasizing that the aging rural population directly threatens the future of agricultural production, Bayraktar reported that according to TZOB records, the proportion of farmers aged 18-35 has fallen to 5%. Stating that public support is essential to retain young people in the sector, TZOB President Şemsi Bayraktar called for treasury support:

'There is a significant factor threatening agriculture in Turkey. The number of farmers aged 18-35 has dropped to 5%, which is a very serious threat. The state paying the social security premiums for these young people would help employ some young people in agriculture. Therefore, we are requesting a bit more support from the treasury; this is very important.'

Social Supports for Women Producers

Reminding that women farmers have an indispensable share in rural development and the continuity of the production chain, Bayraktar stated that they have conveyed their demands for improvements in social security to policymakers. Providing information about the contacts made, TZOB President Şemsi Bayraktar shared his demands with the following words:

'Without the support of our women today, we cannot achieve production in agriculture. I said to our President, 'Let's do something for these women too.' We made these demands, and work is being done.'

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