The Silent Power of the Seed and the Roadmap to the Future
A seed… When placed in a handful of soil, it is silent, yet within that silence lies the echo of a vast future. Türkiye’s seed story is just such a tale: beginning in the 1920s, gaining momentum with the market economy in the 1980s, and accelerating further with the laws enacted in 2004 and 2006.
Today, the picture is impressive: 9,637 registered varieties, 1.3 million tons of certified seeds, billions of seedlings, saplings, and ornamental plants produced… In 2024, a foreign trade volume of $853 million, with the export-to-import ratio reaching 134%. Yet between the lines, there are knots still to be untangled.
Türkiye holds one of the most advantageous geographies in the world for seed production. Due to the climate and biological diversity, and the tradition of agriculture cultivated in these lands. However, research and development (R&D) investments have yet to gain the momentum we expect. While private sector breeding programs are advancing, the lack of qualified personnel, bureaucratic hurdles, and weak cooperation among public and private sectors and the universities do slow the sector down.
Another issue is legislation. From the Turkish Seed Law No. 5553 to deductions, from commodity exchanges to authorization and inspection procedures, and VAT rates. There is a need for regulatory changes in many areas. And of course, off-the-books sales, misinformation, and seasonal labour problems… Until these are resolved, the full potential behind the numbers will not be unleashed.
This sector is not only a matter of agriculture but also of national security. Türkiye ranks 10th in global seed trade; our goal is to enter the top 5. Achieving this requires more than simply increasing seed production, quality, and exports. We need to sow a strategy: support for local varieties, simplified export procedures, strong financial incentives for producers, and long-term funding for R&D.
The destiny of a seed begins when it falls into the soil, but for it to take root in the future, it must be protected by the right policies. This silent power sprouting on the soil of Türkiye can, with proper support, play a role not just in the food security of Türkiye, but in the food security of the world.
The4th Agriculture and Forestry Council Decisions Could Be a Historic Turning Point for Seed Production
At exactly this point, I see the decisions announced at the 4th Agriculture and Forestry Council on May 14, 2025, as a historic turning point. Announced with the participation of our President and our Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, the list of 86 decisions contains strategic steps that will shape not only today but also the future.
As global threats like climate change and food security grow, this roadmap set forth by our Ministry shows a strong commitment to sustainable agriculture. One of the most gratifying items for our sector is the decision to increase “domestic and national” seed ratios. This means breaking external dependency and building our future with our own varieties.
Another long-awaited outcome included in the council’s resolutions is the establishment of the National Seed and Plant Health Laboratory. This facility will meet our sector’s most critical needs from plant breeding and R&D studies to certification processes, from disease testing to molecular analyses. We will now be able to carry out our analyses reliably, quickly, and nationally, raising our quality standards even higher.
Another critical step is granting seed companies “industrial enterprise” status. This is not merely a definitional change, it means access to investment opportunities, R&D project support, and government subsidies. From now on, seeds will be considered not just an agricultural input but a strategic industrial product.
The council’s decision to “increase the use of certified seeds” was also one of the sector’s most important long-standing demands. Certified seeds do increase farmers’ income, provide crops free from diseases, and come with a quality assurance. They are the foundation of planned, efficient, and sustainable agriculture.
We actively took part in all stages of the council, contributing to the work of the commission. With the implementation of these decisions, production will increase, sustainability will be strengthened, and we will move one step closer to our national agricultural goals. Together with all stakeholders in our sector, we are ready to embrace this process, take responsibility, and work for the agricultural future of our country.
The guarantee of the future begins with the seeds we plant in the soil; their rooting depends on determination and the right policies. The decisions of the 4th Agriculture and Forestry Council are among the most serious steps taken to ensure these seeds grow. What matters now is to implement these steps swiftly and effectively.
One Of the Most Important Global Meeting Points for Agriculture: GROWTECH. ANTALYA
GROWTECH. ANTALYA, one of the most important global meeting points for the agricultural sector, brings together innovative solutions and cooperation opportunities under a roof. In today’s world, where the impacts of climate change on agriculture are increasingly felt, the importance of technology use is growing steadily. GROWTECH. ANTALYA continues to serve as a strong platform uniting the sector with technology to meet this need.
Ranked among the world’s largest greenhouse agriculture fairs, GROWTECH. ANTALYA will open its doors for the 24th time from November 18–21, 2025, at the ANFAŞ Exhibition Centre. This event aims to bring Turkey’s innovative approach, production power, and potential in agriculture to the international stage, and I believe it will provide an important ground for new collaborations and commercial opportunities.
As the Turkish Seed Growers Association, we will once again participate in the fair with our corporate stand, as we do every year. I congratulate everyone involved and wish the fair great success for Turkish agriculture.
Hacı Ömer GÜLER
Chairman of the Board
Turkey Seed Growers Association
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