Meet the FABLE Türkiye team

The team is led by the Bahçeşehir University's Research Center for Sustainable Food Systems (BAU SUGAM), an initiative that consolidates all the partnerships and projects the university has been involved in concerning food and agriculture. The primary objective of the center is to enhance the value chain of the food system, following sustainable development principles, from farm to waste disposal. Recognizing the responsibility of universities and in alignment with this purpose and scope, BAU SUGAM serves as a hub, guiding all relevant stakeholders on this multidisciplinary and inclusive path.

To support this endeavor, Bahcesehir University has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This partnership aims to enhance capacities in food security, nutrition, and sustainable food systems at both national and regional levels by promoting knowledge exchange, research, innovation, data sharing, and dissemination. Furthermore, the collaboration seeks to raise awareness and encourage the adoption of effective policies and practices that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Pinar Özuyar

Pinar Özuyar

Bahcesehir University

Muge Kesici

Muge Kesici

Bahcesehir University

Zeynep Tacer Caba

Zeynep Tacer Caba

Bahcesehir University

Reyhan Menetlioğlu

Reyhan Menetlioğlu

Bahcesehir University


Transforming food and land-use systems in Türkiye

Türkiye boasts abundant land and water resources, along with rare agro-ecological conditions, spanning a total land area of 769,630 km2. With 37,762,000 hectares of agricultural land (including meadows and pastures), 41% is dedicated to crop production. Primary agriculture contributes 3.3% to exports and 6.7% to GDP, placing Türkiye as the 7th largest agricultural economy worldwide.

Small-scale farmers (≤100 Decares) in Türkiye hold significant importance in the food system, constituting 82.6% of registered farmers, while large-scale farmers (>200 Decares) account for 6.4% (Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry).

Türkiye excels in several aspects of food security, including the proportion of the population below the global poverty line, food supply sufficiency, micronutrient availability, market access, agricultural financial services, food safety, protein quality, and food safety net programs. However, there has been a significant rise in nutrition-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases among both adults and children.

Vulnerabilities in the food chain and rural development persist, given Türkiye's self-sufficiency levels. The enduring issue of rural poverty significantly affects urban development and drives rural-urban migration, pointing to the lack of effective financial and social incentives to address these challenges.

Water management stands as another critical challenge. Agriculture, the primary water consumer, accounts for 75% of Türkiye's total water consumption. With arid and semi-arid soils prone to erosion (65%), the country has undertaken large-scale irrigation projects to convert semi-arid regions into agricultural lands. While these projects have bolstered agricultural output, concerns about water management, environmental sustainability, and their impact on local communities have emerged.

In February 2023, devastating earthquakes wreaked havoc on the agricultural and rural sectors. Agricultural infrastructure, including warehouses, packaging facilities, and equipment, suffered severe damage. Over 13,284 animal shelters were destroyed, and around 815,000 livestock were lost. The fisheries were also affected, disrupting markets and supply chains and exacerbating existing challenges.


Key national objectives and targets