The aging population in Türkiye’s agricultural sector poses a significant threat to the country’s food security, and urgent measures are needed to reverse this trend. According to Şemsi Bayraktar, the President of the Union of Turkish Agricultural Chambers (TZOB), the average age of farmers has steadily risen, with the typical age now reaching 59 years, reflecting a broader demographic shift that is increasingly concerning for the future of agriculture in the country.
This aging trend is particularly alarming as 35% of Turkish farmers are over 65 years old, and another 35% fall between the ages of 50 and 64. This means that over 70% of the agricultural workforce is nearing retirement, with fewer young people entering the industry. In contrast, only 5% of farmers are aged between 18 and 32, highlighting a dramatic generational gap in agricultural work. This exodus of younger people from rural areas and farming has been exacerbated by the limited opportunities for economic growth, social mobility, and education in these regions.
The consequence of this demographic shift is a growing concern for food supply security in Türkiye. With fewer young people willing to engage in agriculture, the capacity of the sector to sustain the nation’s food production in the future is at risk. Without timely intervention, the situation will only worsen, leading to greater dependency on imports and a potential reduction in the self-sufficiency of the country’s food system.
While the overall agricultural sector in Türkiye expanded by 3.9% last year, this growth is tempered by the fact that the sector’s share of the national GDP has been declining. In 2024, agriculture contributed just 5.6% to the country’s GDP, down from 6.2% in 2023 and 6.5% in 2022. This reduction is a reflection of broader economic trends, but it also points to the underlying challenges within the agricultural workforce and the rural economy.
As rural populations continue to shrink, villages are becoming increasingly depopulated, with some areas seeing no births for decades. These empty villages, especially in the winter months, underscore the scale of the issue facing rural communities. Farmers between the ages of 18 and 24 have decreased by 6% over the past year, while those aged 33 to 49 have also seen a 4% decline. Many young people prefer to seek work in urban centers where they can earn minimum wages, leaving behind the agricultural way of life in favor of more stable employment opportunities in cities.
To address these challenges, Bayraktar stresses the need for targeted policies that can help reverse the trend of youth abandoning agriculture. These policies should include increasing financial support for farmers, enhancing their social security benefits, and creating favorable conditions for younger generations to return to farming. Measures like easier access to agricultural land, low-interest loans, grant support, and special funds for agricultural entrepreneurship are crucial to revitalizing the sector and encouraging young people to see farming as a viable and rewarding career option.
In addition, efforts should be made to improve the quality of life in rural areas, making them more attractive to the younger population. This involves addressing broader issues like infrastructure, education, and healthcare, which are critical for encouraging a sustainable rural workforce. If these measures are implemented effectively, they could help reverse the trend of rural depopulation and ensure that Türkiye’s agricultural sector remains robust and capable of meeting the nation’s food security needs in the future.
Ultimately, the aging agricultural workforce in Türkiye represents a significant challenge, but with the right policies and investment, the country can still take steps to safeguard its food security and ensure that agriculture remains a thriving and sustainable industry.
