Uncultivated lands will revitalize the rural economy

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's legislative amendments are restoring idle fields to production and making them available for farmers. Although the Council of State has appealed the regulation to the Constitutional Court, the practice will continue unless a stay of execution or annulment is issued.

Prioritizing Local Farmers: Priority will be given to farmers and agricultural cooperatives living in the village where the land is located, starting in November 2025. This will both increase local production and prevent small-scale farmers from becoming disengaged from production. This approach will also contribute to strengthening rural employment and making agricultural unions more effective.

THE DETECTION AND LEASING PROCESS The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry established Land Detection Commissions in all 81 provinces to identify uncultivated land. Studies for the 2024 production year were completed, and it was determined that approximately 300,000 decares of land in 25,328 parcels were uncultivated. Following the evaluation of objections, the final lists were announced at the provincial and district levels.

In the last quarter of 2025, uncultivated land will be identified for the second consecutive year, and the leasing process will begin in November. Priority for leasing will be given to farmers, agricultural cooperatives, unions, associations, foundations, and volunteer organizations located in the settlement where the land is located. The Ministry of Agriculture has provided training to personnel in provincial directorates to ensure effective management of the process.

IMPLEMENTATION WILL CONTINUE UNINTERRUPTED The 10th Chamber of the Council of State appealed to the Constitutional Court, claiming that the regulation regarding the leasing of lands that have not been cultivated for two consecutive years is unconstitutional.

Sources from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry emphasized that this decision is merely "suspensive" regarding the merits of the case. Unless a stay of execution or annulment is issued, implementation will continue in accordance with the regulation. Ministry officials stated that efforts to bring uncultivated lands back into production will continue uninterrupted.

CONTRIBUTION TO THE ECONOMY: The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry anticipates that incorporating these lands into production will not only ensure agricultural supply security but also contribute millions of lira to the local economy. This practice will also offer new opportunities for farmers who are unable to cultivate their land due to high input costs.

This policy will reduce rural-urban migration. It will not only be an agricultural policy but also a strategy for rural development and mitigating migration. By utilizing uncultivated land, it will provide employment opportunities for young farmers, strengthen the rural production chain, and increase local employment.

IDENTIFICATION AND LEASING PROCESS - Land Identification Commissions established in 81 provinces have completed the identification of uncultivated lands for the 2024 production year. - Approximately 300 thousand decares of land in 25,328 parcels have been identified as uncultivated. - Following the objection processes, the final lists have been finalized and announced on a provincial/district basis. - The identification of uncultivated lands will be carried out for the second year in a row in the last quarter of 2025, - Leasing procedures will begin in November. - Leasing will primarily be made to farmers living in the settlements where the land is located, agricultural cooperatives, unions, associations, foundations and voluntary organizations. - Online training on the process has been provided to personnel in provincial directorates.

STATISTICAL DATA

- 2024 production year (September 1, 2023 - August 31, 2024) - 25 thousand 328 parcels - Approximately 300 thousand decares of uncultivated land - 2025 production year (September 1, 2024 - August 31, 2025) - Detection works will begin on September 1, 2025 and continue until the end of October.

- After the final determination, the leasing process will be initiated in November 2025.