Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences (Aug 2015)
STRUCTURAL CONDITION AND PRODUCTIVITY OF AGRICULTURE IN TURKEY ON THE WAY TOWARDS EU MEMBERSHIP
Abstract
European Union (EU) stipulates the compliance of Turkish Agricultural Sector with Common Agricultural Policy for full membership. Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the oldest and the most comprehensive policy of the EU, was formed to integrate economies of the member countries in agriculture. Although the share of CAP is only 1.2% in Gross National Product (GNP) of the EU-27, the fact that 40% of the Union Budget belongs to CAP clearly sets out the importance of the policy. The present agricultural structure of Turkey constitutes an important problem for full membership in negotiations to be held with the EU countries. Having a simulation is of great importance in the structural conditions to be able to provide harmony in the application between Turkey and the EU. In this study, the analysis of agricultural structure in Turkey and the EU was done by the dimensions of management structure, production, yield and self-sufficiency. Existing agricultural mechanization levels of Turkey and the EU were also investigated. Some structural indicators about agriculture were compiled by benefiting from European Commission Agriculture and Rural Development Statistics and Indicators and TUIK/Turkish Statistical Institute. The level of mechanization in the EU and Turkey was computed by using FAOSTAT data. The most important results of the study highlight that although the Turkish agricultural sector has a high potential, it has a poor competitive qualification. Thus, the large potential of management and the large increase level of agricultural mechanization of the EU will be the most expected compelling change for Turkey in the process of adaptation.
