The FAO Investment Centre, in collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), has released a report titled “Digital Technologies for Agriculture in Türkiye.” The publication highlights how AgTech solutions – from smart irrigation to traceability and e-commerce – can boost productivity, sustainability and resilience in Türkiye’s agricultural sector.

Key points:

• Current Landscape: Türkiye’s agricultural sector contributes 5.5% to GDP and employs 17% of the workforce but faces challenges such as resource constraints, economic volatility and climate change impacts. While larger farms adopt technologies like IoT-based resource tracking, small and medium-sized farms face barriers like cost and accessibility.
• AgTech Potential: AgTech tools, including crop monitoring, disease prediction and precision farming technologies, show promise but need tailored solutions for smaller farms. High-value sectors such as orchards and greenhouses are early adopters, but inclusivity remains a challenge.
• Investments and Ecosystem Building: The report recommends increasing investments in local AgTech startups, fostering public-private partnerships, and providing tailored financial support, including grants and long-term funding. It highlights the need for a shared data repository, quality assurance protocols and farmer training programs to enhance trust and effective technology use.
• Strategic Vision: Türkiye can lead in sustainable agriculture by scaling AgTech adoption, improving data integration and creating inclusive financing programs targeting small-scale farmers, women-led agribusinesses and MSMEs.

The report calls for coordinated efforts to build a digitally inclusive agricultural ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders and reinforces food security and sustainable farming practices.

Read the full article on the FAO Investment website.