Promoting Agricultural Value Chains
In the OIC Member Countries
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However, the sector continues to face several key issues which prevent further development.
The smallholder farmers responsible for the majority of production utilise different breeds of
cattle, with different productivity, depending on the geographical area that they occupy. These
different breeds, combined with the use of outdated or inappropriate rearing techniques
hamper growth of livestock, and contribute to low productivity per head. A second significant
barrier is the unregistered slaughtering of as much as 40 percent of the livestock (ARDSI,
2013), where regulations in hygiene and proper practice are often not adhered to (Tathdil et
al., 2013).
5.3.1 Institutional framework and public policy
Overall objectives for agricultural development in Turkey, including livestock and fisheries, are
set by the 10th Development Plan 2014-2018, determined by the Ministry of Development. The
primary aim is to create an agriculture sector that provides a sufficiently balanced nutritional
intake for the populace. Utilising advanced technologies, strong infrastructural, effective
organisation and high productivity can increase its international competitiveness through a
demand driven production structure which utilises natural resources in a sustainable manner
(Turkish Ministry of Development, 2014).
Food security is to be ensured through (1) effective stock management; (2) diminishing the
losses in production; (3) improving the marketing and consumption chain; (4) strengthening
administrative and technical capacity related to the market regulation; and (5) more effective
use of foreign trade tools.
Although it is recognised that agriculture’s contribution to national GDP and employment is
bound to decline, growth in the agricultural sector is predicted at 3.1 percent per annum
(Turkish Ministry of Development, 2014). Increasing and improving meat production and
animal husbandry constitute key target areas of the 10th Development Plan. According to
Strategic Objective 3 of the 2013-2017 Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and
Livestock, specific aims are to ensure food security and accessibility for agricultural products,
and increase the amount of red meat production which is experiencing supply deficit, and in so
doing ensure the security of supply, and diminish price fluctuations (Turkish Ministry of Food,
Agriculture and Livestock, 2014).
Traditionally, the extensive livestock farming systems in the Central and Eastern parts of
Turkey are the primary source of cattle for the rearing and fattening units in the Western and
Southern regions. However, the sustainability of this extensive livestock rearing model is
presently impaired by the high rate of net population migration from these provinces over the
last 10 to 15 years. In addition to this, fodder production, improvement of pastures, quality
and quantity of artificial insemination procedures are below international averages and
current measures taken for animal health and animal movements are far from being sufficient
(Turkish Ministry of Development, 2014).
Given this unfavourable context, animal husbandry support was increased and regional
projects were put into practice. These support mechanisms have brought increases in red meat
and production in recent years. In the animal husbandry sector specifically, improvement of
beef cattle and sheep breeding are given priority and implementation of regional support
programs will be continued over the coming years. For instance, the proportion of pure bred
cattle to the total cattle stock is set to rise to 56 percent by 2018, up from 26 percent in 2006.
To support this commitment, Farm-Oriented Preventive Veterinary Medicine System and One