Turkish food security and water management initiatives

Turkish leadership addressed global and domestic food security issues during the World Food Forum. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan highlighted the global disparity between food waste and hunger, noting that approximately 1.5 billion tons of food are lost or wasted annually, with roughly 60 percent occurring at the household level. He characterized access to secure food as a “fundamental element of national security” for Turkey.

Erdoğan reported progress on the domestic ‘Protect Your Food, Protect Your Table’ initiative, which has reduced bread waste by 18 percent. Expanding on these efforts, Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı announced a National Water Plan designed to align production planning with water availability. The government aims to implement drought forecasting and early warning systems across 25 basins by 2027 to facilitate proactive risk management and protect farmer incomes.

During World Food Day celebrations in Izmir, further emphasis was placed on combating waste through consumer education. Food engineer Öznur Tuna noted that waste often begins in domestic kitchens due to poor planning and improper storage, advising consumers to distinguish between ‘Use By’ (STT) and ‘Best Before’ (TETT) dates to ensure safety while reducing unnecessary waste.

Additionally, the importance of sustainable and diversified production was highlighted through an award ceremony organized by the FAO, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Turkish Food and Beverage Industry Associations Federation (TGDF). Beekeeper Emine Kazancı was recognized for diversifying traditional honey production to include high-value products like royal jelly, propolis, and bee bread, underscoring the role of women in agriculture and beekeeping for biodiversity and rural economic development.