PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SEED SYSTEM IN TURKEY...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is the political authority for the seed sector. Two General Directorates of the Ministry are implementing bodies; General Directorate of Plant Production (BÜGEM) and General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM)

TAGEM aims to provide economic, social and environmental benefits to Turkey through carrying out high quality agricultural research projects that meet the country’s needs. It is the largest R&D Organisation in TURKEY with 50 Research Institutes and 3000 Fulltime researchers

BÜGEM is responsible for implementation of seed policies (especially on seed production and support) through provincial and district directorates. Total certified seed production has risen to 1,060,000 tonnes in 2018. It was 145,000 tonnes in 2002. The production of certified wheat seeds is 426,678 tonnes, potato seeds is 276,390 tonnes, barley seeds is 151,365 tonnes, maize seeds is 62,290 tonnes, chickpea seeds is 31,000 tonnes, cotton seeds is 25,141 tonnes, sunflower seeds is 25,025 tonnes and lentil seeds is 22,000 tonnes in 2018. It is obvious that the production of certified seeds has increased substentially in Turkey during last decade.

This is as a result of implementation of relevant seed policies by the Ministry of Agriculture. Use of certified seeds by the farmers of certain species has been supported by the Ministry since 2005. Production of certified seeds by the seed companies of certain species has been supported by the Ministry since 2008. These efforts in turn, have increased total certified seed production in Turkey and the share of the certified seeds produced by the private sector has increased considerably.