Heirloom Seeds Will Be Offered for Sale in Agricultural Credit Markets

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı stated that heirloom seeds will be offered for sale in Agricultural Credit Cooperative markets as of February, and said, "Our citizens will be able to use them according to their needs."

Minister Yumaklı visited and inspected the Seed Registration and Certification Center Directorate.

Pointing out that 19 thousand seed varieties have been registered at the center to date, Yumaklı said that approximately 1000 seeds are registered per year.

Minister Yumaklı, announcing that Turkey’s success in seeds has been registered, said, “This center, affiliated with our General Directorate of Plant Production, is an institution that works by considering the experience of the past, the needs of today and the issues that the future brings to us and by making plans. It also directs seed growing. We see this center as the starting point of plant production. The seeds we develop are registered in this center. Then, these seeds are produced by the General Directorate of Agricultural Enterprises and offered to our farmers.”

Yumaklı, who drew attention to the fact that Turkey has recently written an important success story in seed production, said, “As we express these, we encounter different disinformation on this issue. However, let us repeat from here: Turkey is one of the countries with authority in the world in terms of seeds and seed development. Let me emphasize once again that we are among the top 10 countries. This disinformation will never demoralize us. We are focused on success. Our priority is productivity and quality in all stages of agricultural production in our country, starting from seeds.”

Yumaklı reported that 2002 thousand tons of seeds were produced in the country in 145 and now this figure has increased to 1,3 million tons.

Minister Yumaklı, who stated that seed exports were made from Turkey to 117 countries, said, “We produce 100 kilograms of every 97 kilograms of seed used in Turkey on the soil of this country. 1109 companies in Turkey carry out seed development and production activities. At the same time, very important ground is being prepared for the development of our local varieties. In the last 22 years, our seed exports have increased from 17 million dollars to 327 million dollars. I would like to state that Turkey is a net exporter country in terms of seeds.”

Yumaklı reminded that they, as the Ministry, have been supporting certified seed production since 2005, and explained that the support provided within this scope has reached 7 billion liras. Yumaklı said that they have opened a separate heading for certified seeds within the framework of production planning.

Yumaklı pointed out that there has been an increase in plant diseases recently, especially due to climate change, and reported that the focus is on developing resistant seeds.

REGISTERED ANCESTOR SEEDS WILL INCREASE TO 49

Minister Yumaklı drew attention to the fact that 37 heirloom seeds have been registered to date and noted the following:

“We will increase this number to 49 in February. Again, within this framework, we have started working on selling our developed ancestral seeds in the markets of Agricultural Credit Cooperatives in order to provide an environment where our citizens can easily access them. In February, each of our citizens in Turkey will go to the markets of Agricultural Credit Cooperatives and reach the registered ancestral seeds. Our citizens will be able to use them according to their needs.”