Turkey plans to lease farmlands in several counties in Africa and Latin America, aiming to grow crops to boost its agricultural production. Authorities have been exploring such opportunities in ten nations, besides Venezuela and Sudan. The authorities are also negotiating with Ukraine.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Vahit Kirişçi recently discussed this plan with a group of lawmakers. Local production is meeting domestic consumption, but still, leasing farmlands in foreign countries is necessary if the aim is to export agricultural products, Kirişçi stated.
The minister explained that Turkish farmers are moving to large cities, and because of this population move, lands in rural areas are left idle. The General Directorate of Agricultural Enterprises (TIGEM) will coordinate the project for leasing farmlands in other nations.
Turkish growers expect to grow sunflowers, corn, cotton, sugar cane, clover, canola, pineapple, mango and avocado abroad. Most of the products will be intended for export and the projects will be implemented by the private sector.
Source: hurriyetdailynews.com