Research and Development Support Program in Agriculture Initiated in Turkey

As a major producer of agricultural products, Turkey is to initiate a support program in research and development activities aiming to support know-how and technology activities of producers and farmers which would possibly result with reduction of consumer prices in long-term.  

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has recently published a Communique on Research and Development Support Program and announced the administrative structure of research and development management in this regard.

Accordingly, a board for the supervision, funding and selection of agricultural R&D projects (no less than 36 months of research period) and its responsibilities have been described in the Communique. The board will consist of nineteen members, under the presidency of Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry. One representative at the level of Deputy General Director of Agricultural Research and Policies, General Directorate of Food and Control, General Directorate of Livestock, General Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture, General Directorate of Plant Production and General Directorate of Agricultural Reform will be appointed by the Minister; and university representatives from horticultural crops, plant protection, field crops, agricultural machinery, agricultural economics, soil science and plant nutrition, agricultural structures and irrigation, zootechnics, aquaculture, food and veterinary medicine Faculties and one representative from Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council.

Additionally, separate departments will be formed based on the designated subject matter within the R&D Project, each responsible for the development, end-result and follow-up of the projects assigned under their Head of Department; and reporting it to the board via the Secretariat. An expert pool will also be formed from academics (with PHD or above) specialized in the designated project topic to supervise, evaluate and report to the Head of Department. The Heads of Department and the board has the authority to enforce administrative sanctions and liable, an administrative unit.