Tokat Accelerates Rural Development with Basin-Based Production Model

October 6, 2026 · tokathaber.com.tr

The basin-based production model and branding projects implemented in Tokat have demonstrated concrete results of local government and producer cooperation in rural development.

The agricultural sector is not just an area of economic activity; it holds a strategic position in terms of food security, employment, and national security. Yaşar Kavak, former Advisor to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, shared the field-oriented work carried out during his tenure as the Tokat Provincial Director of Agriculture, alongside the then Governor Ayhan Nasuhbeyoğlu. Kavak emphasized the importance of the province's administrative authority having direct contact with the fields and producers for local development, stating that rural development is only possible by identifying the needs of farmers in the field.

It was announced that the main goal of agricultural policies implemented across Tokat is to grow the right product in the right ecology, rather than producing everything everywhere. Within this scope, the 'One Village, One Product' project constituted one of the first local-scale examples of the Agricultural Basins Project implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Yaşar Kavak, former Advisor to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, made the following statements on the matter:

Kavak stated that product patterns suitable for the province's soil and climate maps were determined individually in the field.

Through the work carried out in the Kazova basin, one of the most fertile agricultural areas of the region, the added value of tomato production was increased, and Tokat Tomato became a registered brand. With this vision, which targets not only yield increase but also the commercial reputation of the product, production was transformed into a social event by organizing the Kazova Golden Tomato Festivals. Comprehensive steps were taken to ensure producers received fair compensation for their labor, increase the market power of local products, and support agricultural development through promotional activities.

To develop the livestock sector alongside crop production, the Artova-Boyunpınar Organized Livestock Area Project was prepared. This facility, whose Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) processes have been completed and submitted to the investment program, was planned as a large livestock center with a capacity of 15,000 heads. The project aims to activate the region's meat and milk production potential by promoting beekeeping throughout the province, ensuring diversity in alternative products, and improving the welfare level of rural producers.

To ensure sustainability in Tokat's agriculture, an environmental project was implemented for the first time in Turkey, involving the collection and proper disposal of empty agricultural pesticide packaging according to technical procedures. This model prevented environmental pollution and introduced safe agricultural methods that consider human health. Concurrently, the income sources of farmers were diversified by promoting berry fruits and introducing alternative high-value-added products, integrating modern production methods.

It was emphasized that agriculture should not be viewed as the activity of a single institution; chambers of agriculture, agricultural cooperatives, producer organizations, technical personnel, and sector representatives were brought together around the same table. Through this common mind mechanism, preventive solutions were developed before problems even arose. Thanks to the strong bonds established in the field, Tokat producers engaged in rural production expressed their satisfaction even after many years:

Producers stated that they continue to keep the implemented projects alive in their memories.

Recalling that Governor Ayhan Nasuhbeyoğlu implemented a similar agricultural vision in the provinces of Giresun, Sinop, Ardahan, and Hakkari, in addition to Tokat, Yaşar Kavak stated that administrative leadership plays a key role in agricultural development. Kavak noted that a management approach that values the land and the farmer makes productivity permanent, emphasizing that development cannot occur without loving agriculture. It was stated that the experiences in the field shed light on the future of Turkish agriculture and that models that unlock local potential should be sustained.

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