Introduction:

We do not remember when hormones entered our lives anymore. Tomatoes, strawberries, peppers, and many many kinds of vegetables with hormones invaded our neighborhood farmers markets as well as our kitchen. They may be large in appearance, a little confusing with lumps here and there, and they may taste bland. But as a generation that never tasted the green beans grown in the fields of our village, we’d better leave the reminiscing to the old-timers. Do not let these words mislead you; contrary to the song that goes, "It is harder to get used to (your absence) than to love (you)", it is possible to summarize this situation with the words, "To love (this food) is harder than to get used to". We all complain of food full of hormones. So what is the solution?

The solution in the 20th century when many factors appeared that threatened the ecological balance, is achieved via the concept of "organic agriculture", that appeared with the strengthening environmental awareness. Organic agriculture means, "Agricultural production methods where every stage from production to consumption is under control and certified, without using any chemicals in production". However do not deduce from this that chemical materials or fertilizers are not used at all. We are talking about an agricultural production method where much less external raw materials exist and more biological materials are preferred.

While artificial fertilizer and agricultural chemicals pollute the air, water, and soil, diffusion of these chemicals into agricultural products brings with them many negative results such as soil erosion, loss of flora and fauna. At this point where environmental awareness has increased, it has been determined that chemicals reduce productivity of soil in the long term and reduce sustainability. Organic agriculture on the other hand protects the ecological balance, allows structuring of plant and animal production into a family enterprise, and therefore establishes short circuits from production to consumption and protects self-reliance and continuity.

Profitable market of Green Revolution

This type of agriculture is one of the most important gifts offered to humanity by the "Green Revolution" in the 1970s. The number of proponents and buyers of this method is increasing tremendously in especially Europe and America. While Denmark, England, and Switzerland are countries that established the foundation of biological agriculture, there is even a law in the U.S. mandating the use of ecological products in the manufacturing of baby formula for the 0-2 age group. Stating that organic food sales grew 128.6% in America, 150% in Japan, 137.7% in Canada, and 200% in Australia between the years 1996-2000, would probably erase all other question marks in people’s heads. While the economic value of organic agriculture reached $22 billion in 2002, it was $10.5 billion in the whole of Europe, $1.5 billion in England, and at $3.06 billion levels in the biggest market in Europe, Germany. The fastest growing economic market was North America with a growth of 12% in 2002, reaching $11.75 billion, and Japan as Asia’s most important market spent $350 million in 2002.

As a result, while being a method of agriculture that serves human health and preservation of nature, organic agriculture also creates a market with quite a high trade potential.

Definition

According to the USDA National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), organic agriculture is defined as "an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain, or enhance ecological harmony. The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people." (NOSB, 1997) The term "organic" is defined by law (see "Legal" section below), as opposed to the labels "natural" and "eco-friendly," which may imply that some organic methods were used in the production of the foodstuff, but this label does not guarantee complete adherence to organic practices as defined by a law. Most "natural" products do not contain synthetic products, but may have been provided conventional (synthetic chemicals used in production) food or feed (as in "natural" beef). Organic agriculture is a concept and practice of agricultural production that focuses on production without the use of synthetic pesticides. Systems by which crops are grown using natural methods of maintaining soil fertility, and pest-control methods that do not involve synthetic pesticides. Organic farming is a way of farming that avoids the use of synthetic chemicals and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and usually subscribes to the principles of sustainable agriculture. Its theoretical basis puts an emphasis on soil health. Its proponents believe that healthy soil, maintained without the use of man-made fertilizers and pesticides, and livestock raised without drugs, yields higher quality food than conventional, chemical-based agriculture. The label ‘organic agriculture’ guarantees that a product is the result of a production method which is respectful of the environment, and which forbids the use of chemicals. This type of production is governed by a strict charter, and controlled by certifying organizations.

History

Organic agriculture is the oldest form of agriculture on earth. Farming without the use of petroleum-based chemicals (fertilizers and pesticides) was the sole option for farmers until post-World War II. The war brought with it technologies that were useful for agricultural production. For example, ammonium nitrate used for munitions during WW II evolved into ammonium nitrate fertilizer; organophosphate nerve gas production led to the development of powerful insecticides. These technical advances since WWII have resulted in significant economic benefits as well as environmental and social detriments. Organic agriculture seeks to utilize those advances that consistently yield benefits (new varieties of crops; precision ag. technologies; more efficient machinery) while discarding those methods that have led to negative impacts on society and the environment, such as pesticide pollution and insect pest resistance. Instead of using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, organic farmers utilize crop rotations, cover crops, and natural-based products to maintain or enhance soil fertility. These farmers rely on biological, cultural and physical methods to limit pest expansion and increase populations of beneficial insects on their farm. Because genetically modified organisms constitute synthetic inputs and pose unknown risks, GMOs, such as herbicide-resistant seeds, plants, and product ingredients, like GM-lecithin, are disallowed in organic agriculture.

Export Promotion Centre of Turkey (IGEME), Department of Agriculture

Turkey ist a major producer and exporter of various agricultural products, and organic agriculture in Turkey started with the international demand from major export partners. Production has been realized according to the standards and certification systems of the importing countries, which were mainly EU countries. Currently 103'190 hectares are managed organically, which corresponds to 0.4% of the total agricultural area.

Major product groups are dried fruits, edible nuts, spices and herbs as well as fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. A state regulation on organic farming has been in force since 1994. Together with the regulation a logo to be used on organic agricultural products was introduced. In order to provide a firm legal basis for the organization and enhancement of the organic sector, a framework law was developed and put into force in December 2004.

Agriculture in Turkey

Historically, the agricultural sector has been Turkey’s largest employer and a major contributor to the country’s GDP, exports and industrial growth. However, as the country has developed, the importance of agriculture has declined relative to the rapidly growing industry and services sectors.

Although the share of agriculture in the Turkish economy has tended to fall over a period of several decades due to the increase in industrial and services sectors, it still accounts for a relatively larger share of total output and employment than in many other countries. Agriculture’s share of GDP declined from 35 % in 1970 to 22 % in 1980 and to 11.8 % in 2003. Although the importance of agriculture within the GDP decreases with respect to years, a great part of the population is still earning their living from agriculture (30.3% in 2003). Crop production represents 67 % of the total agricultural production, livestock represents 26 % and the rest comprises forestry and fishery products.    

Turkey is the largest producer and exporter of agricultural products in the Near East and North African region. Despite the overall trade deficit of Turkey, the agricultural trade balance is significantly positive, providing some relief to external accounts. Trade liberalization and rising demand in the region resulted in agricultural product exports (excluding agro industry) rising to a value of approximately US $ 2.5 billion in 2003 and accounted for 5.3 % of Turkey’s total export earnings.

History and Development of Organic Agriculture

Turkey with its immense experience in farming practices, different climatic conditions and rich biodiversity possesses a high potential for organic agriculture. Although organic farming and in-conversion land constitute a small proportion of the total agricultural land, this proportion is growing from year to year with the increasing health awareness in domestic and international markets.

Being a major producer and exporter in various agricultural products, organic agriculture started with the international demand from major export partners of Turkey. By adjusting their production system according to the demand of importing firms, production has been realized according to the standards and certification systems of the importing countries, which were mainly EU countries.

Organic agriculture was initiated in Izmir which is located in the Aegean region, in 1985 with dried fruits. The reason why this province became the major production site in organic agriculture is that major production and processing facilities are located there and since it is an important harbour, most of the products could be exported with minimum transportation costs. Therefore many producer and certification organizations are located in Izmir .

But today, organic agricultural production has expanded to all regions; Izmir, Malatya, Sanliurfa, Aydin, Bursa, Hatay, Kütahya, Isparta, Rize and Afyon are today the leading provinces in organic agricultural production. The number of farmers in Turkey applying with organic agricultural methods is also increasing year by year.

Picture 1: Cover Page of the Brochure on Turkish Organic Agricultural Products, © IGEME, 2004

In 1992, to support to movement and development in organic production, the Ecological Agricultural Organization Association (ETO) was founded. With a close cooperation with the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs (MARA), this Association tried to increase the awareness in organic production methods among farmers and related organizations. In 1999 and 2001, two symposia were organized by this Association.

Contract farming has been an important feature in organic agricultural production. This method enables contractors to ensure that the product meets certain standards and for producers to guarantee a previously agreed payment.

Development of Organic Agriculture in Figures and current statistics

At the beginning of the 1990’s, the number of organic farmers was very small and did not change to a big extent over the years. But towards the end of the decade a huge increase in the production of organic agricultural products was observed. Many farmers decided to change their conventional production methods to adaptation of organic techniques.