Ministry of Agriculture Opens Genomics Test Center in Lalahan

October 31, 2026 · Tarım ve Orman Bakanlığı

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has commissioned the Genomics Test Center, established in Lalahan, Ankara, to place domestic breeding production on a scientific foundation. Latest data on livestock support and disease control were shared at the opening.

Lalahan Genomics Test Center Becomes Operational

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı officially opened the Genomics Test Center, which has become operational within the Lalahan International Livestock Research and Training Center in Ankara. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister Yumaklı stated that animal production is not just an economic activity but forms the main backbone of food supply security and rural development. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, emphasizing the necessity of high added-value, efficient, and standard-quality production, made the following assessment:

The way to achieve this is by bringing together science, technology, and the experience of our producers.

Stating that domestic capabilities will be utilized in breeding studies, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı explained the center's goals with the following words:

With the Genomic Selection Project, which we are carrying out within the scope of the National Breeding Action Plan, we had planned to open this Genomics Test Center specifically to meet our breeding production needs from domestic enterprises. It is not just a building. The work carried out by the young children of this country, by our experienced staff, will leave its mark and resonate throughout the world. Specifically, we will be able to determine the genetic potentials of our animals at earlier ages through DNA analysis and make breeding selections accordingly. All our efforts are for a Turkey that produces its own data, develops its own genetic capacity, and scientifically manages and implements breeding studies.

Support Payments Provided to the Livestock Sector

According to the financial indicators shared by the Ministry, public support payments directed to livestock activities in Turkey have shown a steady increase over the last quarter-century. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı drew attention to the budget figures in his assessment of the matter, stating:

The factor we need to focus on is the ability to achieve high added-value, efficient, and quality production. In this direction, our governments have provided support to the livestock sector in this regard for 24 years, and the total amount of support provided to the livestock sector in the last 24 years has reached 663 billion Turkish Lira.

According to the Ministry's data, the amount of support directed to animal production in the current year has been increased by 39.5 percent compared to the previous year, reaching 38.5 billion Turkish Lira. Sharing the budget projections for the upcoming period, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı made the following statements:

If approved within this budget period, we will increase this support budget to 54.5 billion Turkish Lira for 2027 by increasing it by 41.5 percent.

Milk and Red Meat Production Data

According to official indicators shared by the Ministry, significant increases have been observed in the total animal population, meat, and milk yields across Turkey in the last 24-year period. According to the figures shared by Minister Yumaklı, cattle population grew by 80 percent and small ruminant population by 91 percent during this period. It was reported that red meat production increased by 144 percent and total milk production by 155 percent in the same 24-year period. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, explaining the country's position in international rankings, made the following assessment:

We are 10th in the world and 3rd in the European Union in cow's milk production. We are 8th in the world and 1st in Europe in beef production. These are extremely important results.

Domestic Vaccine and Infrastructure Steps in Institutes

Minister Yumaklı stated that the institute infrastructures are being modernized to protect herd health and announced that the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Institute is in the final stages of being brought into full compliance with international criteria. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı made the following remarks regarding the institute's regional role:

Our entire organization is performing an extremely important duty, especially in preventing diseases, reducing losses, and protecting the labor of our breeders. For example, the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Institute is one of the most important centers not only in our geography but also in Europe, but we had a deficiency; we needed to raise it to international standards. We are now at the final stage. Another prestigious institution will be ready to serve at an international level in the new period.

Yumaklı stated that vaccine production and development capacity has been increased at the Etlik (Ankara) and Pendik (Istanbul) facilities, and announced that the Veterinary Control Laboratory has reached an advanced biosafety level, and that vaccine development studies against the bluetongue virus, prevalent in Europe, are ongoing.

Fight Against Animal Diseases and Loss Compensation

It was noted that the spread of contagious animal diseases has slowed down as a result of preventive veterinary and vaccination efforts carried out in the field under the coordination of the Ministry. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, stating that disease outbreaks in the field are receding, provided the following information:

Through our efforts, we have achieved a 68% reduction in sheep and goat pox outbreaks, a 70% reduction in bluetongue, and a 41% reduction in sheep and goat pox. These are very important figures. Our goal is to reduce them to zero. We have also increased our compensation amount for calf losses due to contagious diseases and all other reasons by 100 percent. In this scope, we will make payments of 20,000 Turkish Lira for calf losses and 4,000 Turkish Lira for lamb and kid losses this year.

With these support and compensation increases implemented by the Ministry, the aim is to compensate for the financial losses of breeders in the field caused by epidemic diseases.

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