Strong Outlook for Rice Production in Turkey
Turkey’s Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı stated that the 2025 rice harvest is expected to reach 988 thousand tons. According to Yumaklı, this achievement will allow Turkey to meet 72 percent of its domestic rice demand, boosting food security and reducing external dependency.
Speaking at the 24th Rice Festival and Agricultural Fair in İpsala, Edirne, Yumaklı underlined the strategic importance of rice, both globally and nationally. He stressed that despite climate change and rising input costs, Turkey continues to stand out in agricultural productivity with strong performance in rice cultivation.
Edirne: The Capital of Rice in Turkey
Yumaklı highlighted that Edirne farmers are responsible for nearly 40 percent of Turkey’s rice production, making the crop a central pillar of the city’s economy. In 2024 alone, 391 thousand tons of rice were harvested from 486 thousand decares of farmland in the region.
To support sustainable production, the ministry has prioritized water management policies. One of the major initiatives is the transfer of water from the Meriç River to the Çakmak Dam to ensure farmers have reliable irrigation sources.
Investments and Growth in Edirne Agriculture
Over the past 23 years, Edirne has received nearly 104 billion lira in agricultural, forestry, and water investments. Key highlights include 237 irrigation facilities, which opened 606 thousand decares of farmland to irrigation, generating an additional 6.2 billion lira in income.
Support programs such as rural development funds and ORKÖY loans have enabled over 5,900 projects, while livestock, beekeeping, and aquaculture have seen major growth. Agricultural output in Edirne has risen by 41 percent to 1.8 million tons, and small livestock numbers have more than doubled.
Minister Yumaklı emphasized that such investments not only protect food security but also strengthen the future of Turkish agriculture by blending modern techniques with traditional farming.
Local Reactions and Symbolic Harvest
Edirne Governor Yunus Sezer reaffirmed the city’s role as Turkey’s leading rice producer. Local representatives, including AK Party MP Fatma Aksal, İpsala Mayor Mehmet Kerman, and İpsala Chamber of Commerce President Necmi Sezer, echoed this sentiment.
The event concluded with Minister Yumaklı joining farmers in the field to harvest rice, symbolizing both the hard work of local producers and the government’s commitment to agricultural development.
Keywords:
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