Organic farming in Turkey and it's problems

Organic farming develops worldwide and has been practiced approximately in 120 countries, on 32 million hectare farmland. European and North American countries have a big marketing share in $28.7 billion-organic-products-market. In 1994 with the introduction of first regulation in Turkey, significant progress has been made in organic farming field. In 2005, 421,934 ton organic products have been produced in 203,811 hectares. From the exportation of organic product, 23 230 259 $ income has been achieved. Nevertheless, Turkey has got a very good potential in terms of variety in field crops and natural meadows and rangelands, the cattle and sheep population, and abundant number of working people in agriculture. Should this potential be exploited, Turkey can have a better position in the market. In order to do this, farmers need to be organized and trained; moreover, counseling services connected with organic farming need to be improved. The number and the effectiveness of control and certification bodies should be regulated. Data webs need to be established. Internationally accredited laboratories should be established.