Organic farming production surpasses 1.3 million tons – Hürriyet Daily News

Report on Sustainable Agricultural Advancement and Contribution to Global Goals

Organic Farming Growth and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Government-supported initiatives have resulted in a substantial expansion of organic farming, directly contributing to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Analysis of the period between 2002 and 2024 reveals significant progress in establishing sustainable food production systems, in line with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

• Total Production Output: Increased 4.2-fold, from 310,125 tons in 2002 to 1,301,248 tons in 2024, enhancing food security (SDG 2).
• Land Under Cultivation: Expanded by 169% to 241,490 hectares, promoting sustainable land use practices (SDG 15: Life on Land).
• Producer Engagement: The number of farmers grew by 193% to 36,412, fostering decent work and economic growth in rural communities (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth).
• Product Diversity: The variety of organic products increased by 79% to 268 different types, supporting biodiversity and resilient agricultural systems (SDG 15).

Expansion in Organic Sub-Sectors: Livestock and Apiculture

The growth extends beyond crop production to include livestock and beekeeping, further diversifying sustainable agriculture and strengthening rural economies.

1. Organic Livestock: This sector’s expansion supports sustainable food systems (SDG 12).
   • Cattle increased from 1,953 in 2005 to 9,289 in 2024.
   • Poultry saw a dramatic rise from 890 in 2005 to 541,661 in 2024.
   • Sheep and goat figures adjusted from 10,066 in 2005 to 4,088 in 2024.
2. Organic Apiculture (Beekeeping): This practice is vital for pollination and preserving biodiversity (SDG 15).
   • The number of beekeepers rose from 370 to 596 between 2005 and 2024.
   • Honey production increased from 573 tons to 861 tons in the same period.

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Contribution to SDGs

Alongside organic farming, production under Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) has demonstrated exponential growth, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable development. Between 2007 and 2024, GAP production surged nearly 109-fold, contributing significantly to SDG 2 and SDG 12.

• Total Production Output: Skyrocketed from 56,000 tons in 2007 to 6.1 million tons in 2024.
• Land Under Cultivation: Expanded from 5,000 hectares to 393,000 hectares.
• Producer Engagement: The number of farmers involved increased from 651 to 7,822, creating economic opportunities (SDG 8).
• Product Diversity: The range of crops grown under GAP expanded from 25 to 148 types.

Conclusion: Government Support as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development

Sustained government support, initiated in 2005 for organic farming and 2008 for GAP, has been a critical driver of this transformation. The ongoing Organic Farming Expansion and Control Project, active in 59 provinces, exemplifies the policy commitment. These combined efforts demonstrate a robust strategy for advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by building resilient, productive, and environmentally sound agricultural systems that support economic growth and protect terrestrial ecosystems.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the growth of organic farming and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in Turkey connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focused on sustainable agriculture, economic growth, and environmental protection.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: This is the most directly related SDG, as the article focuses on increasing food production through sustainable agricultural methods.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The promotion of organic farming and GAP directly addresses the need for sustainable production patterns.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article highlights significant growth in the number of farmers involved in these practices, indicating job creation and economic development in the agricultural sector.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: Organic farming practices inherently contribute to the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems by improving soil health and biodiversity.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers. The article provides evidence of a massive increase in production (a 4.2-fold surge in organic output and a 109-fold growth in GAP output), which suggests a significant rise in agricultural productivity for the thousands of farmers mentioned.
• Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices. The entire article is a case study on the implementation and expansion of sustainable food production systems, namely organic farming and Good Agricultural Practices, which are designed to be resilient and maintain ecosystems.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. Organic farming and GAP are methods that inherently promote the sustainable management of natural resources like land and water, moving away from resource-intensive conventional farming.
• Target 12.a: Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production. The article explicitly mentions “strong government support” and the “Organic Farming Expansion and Control Project,” which are direct examples of national efforts to build capacity for sustainable production.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The article notes an increase in the variety of organic products from 150 to 268, which is a clear example of diversification. The adoption of organic and GAP methods represents an innovation in the agricultural sector, leading to higher productivity.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil… and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world. Organic farming practices contribute directly to improving soil health and restoring land. The expansion of cultivated land under these sustainable practices (from 89,827 to 241,490 hectares for organic farming) is a positive step towards this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article is rich with quantitative data that can serve as direct indicators for measuring progress towards the identified targets.

Indicators for SDG 2 (Targets 2.3 & 2.4)

• Volume of agricultural production: The increase in organic crop production from 310,125 tons to 1,301,248 tons and GAP production to 6.1 million tons are direct measures of productivity.
• Area under sustainable agriculture: The expansion of cultivated land for organic farming (from 89,827 to 241,490 hectares) and GAP (from 5,000 to 393,000 hectares) serves as an indicator for the adoption of sustainable practices.

Indicators for SDG 12 (Targets 12.2 & 12.a)

• Number of government-supported projects: The mention of the “Organic Farming Expansion and Control Project” being implemented in 59 provinces through 93 sub-projects is an indicator of national capacity-building efforts.
• Number of producers adopting sustainable practices: The growth in the number of organic producers (from 12,428 to 36,412) and GAP producers (from 651 to 7,822) indicates a shift towards more sustainable production patterns.

Indicators for SDG 8 (Target 8.2)

• Number of jobs in the sustainable agriculture sector: The increase in the total number of farmers engaged in organic and GAP farming is a proxy indicator for employment growth in this sector.
• Product diversification: The increase in the variety of organic products from 150 to 268 is a specific indicator of agricultural diversification.

Indicators for SDG 15 (Target 15.3)

• Proportion of agricultural land under sustainable management: The total area of land under organic and GAP cultivation (241,490 ha + 393,000 ha) can be used as an indicator for the proportion of land being managed sustainably, contributing to land health.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: hurriyetdailynews.com