Chapter 22. Rural Development Policies and Activities in Turkey

摘要

The main objectives of rural development policy in Turkey under the National Development Plans and of the framework for integration with the European Union are set so as to ensure social cohesion and competitiveness. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs is the main body responsible for agriculture and rural development policies. Rural development projects cover areas such as development of agriculture and animal husbandry, irrigation, improvement of irrigated areas, construction of village and forest roads, drinking-water ponds, supply of drinking-water, the increase of agricultural and dairy production, and afforestation. This paper, after providing a brief description of the current situation of agriculture, discusses the main rural development projects implemented since the 1970s and the lessons learned from their implementation. It then it presents rural development projects undertaken within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and in the framework of the preparation for accession to the EU. Finally, the planning of rural development policies is explained and some concluding remarks concerning changes in rural development policies are offered.