As a major producer of agricultural products, Turkey
is to initiate a support program in research and development activities aiming
to support know-how and technology activities of producers and farmers which
would possibly result with reduction of consumer prices in long-term.
Ministry of
Agriculture and Forestry has recently published a Communique on Research and
Development Support Program and announced the administrative structure of research
and development management in this regard.
Accordingly, a board
for the supervision, funding and selection of agricultural R&D projects (no
less than 36 months of research period) and its responsibilities have been
described in the Communique. The board will consist of nineteen members, under
the presidency of Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry. One representative
at the level of Deputy General Director of Agricultural Research and Policies,
General Directorate of Food and Control, General Directorate of Livestock,
General Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture, General Directorate of Plant
Production and General Directorate of Agricultural Reform will be appointed by
the Minister; and university representatives from horticultural crops, plant
protection, field crops, agricultural machinery, agricultural economics, soil
science and plant nutrition, agricultural structures and irrigation,
zootechnics, aquaculture, food and veterinary medicine Faculties and one
representative from Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council.
Additionally, separate
departments will be formed based on the designated subject matter within the
R&D Project, each responsible for the development, end-result and follow-up
of the projects assigned under their Head of Department; and reporting it to
the board via the Secretariat. An expert pool will also be formed from
academics (with PHD or above) specialized in the designated project topic to
supervise, evaluate and report to the Head of Department. The Heads of
Department and the board has the authority to enforce administrative sanctions
and liable, an administrative unit.