Agriculture, food safety and fisheries financial cooperation 

The EU attaches great value to its cooperation with Türkiye in the agriculture sector. This cooperation has been very beneficial to both sides, facilitating trade and positively contributing to competitiveness, technology transfer and the modernisation of Turkish agriculture.

Substantial financial support has been provided by the EU under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) for agriculture and rural development and food safety, veterinary, phytosanitary, and fishery policies. Over the period 2002–2016, more than €300 million (excluding additional support under IPARD) was allocated to various infrastructure and institution-building projects. These projects include the establishment of an Integrated Administration and Control System, the Control and Eradication of Major Animal Diseases, the development of Key Information Systems, the strengthening of the Official Food Control System (including laboratory infrastructure), and the Legal and Institutional Alignment with the Common Fisheries Policy including enhancing fisheries management and stock assessment.

IPARD

The Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance in Rural Development (IPARD) supports Türkiye in implementing the CAP acquis communautaire and aligning with EU structures through financial assistance under a multi-annual rural development program. IPARD extends grants for investments in agriculture, food processing, and rural businesses across 42 provinces in Türkiye. Each project is co-financed by the Turkish public budget and partially by private investments from beneficiaries. The total funding for IPARD is substantial—nearly €1.8 billion, including the IPARD III period (2021–2027). With additional contributions from national Turkish resources and private funding from beneficiaries, the total investment reaches approximately €5 billion.

As of spring 2023, the IPARD programme has provided investment support to more than 23,300 projects and it has created an estimated 90,000 jobs in rural areas. Most importantly, it also reaches women and young entrepreneurs: 5,977 entrepreneur women and 12,603 young entrepreneurs have been supported across the country. Moreover, the IPARD programme reaches civil society and local authorities through LEADER (links between the rural economy and development actions) and the National Rural Network. The IPARD projects are setting a new standard for investments in the Turkish agri-food sector, fully in line with EU standards. 

Useful links 

European Commission website on IPARD: https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/international/international-cooperation/enlargement/pre-accession-assistance/overview_en

IPARD website of Turkish Managing Authority: https://ipard.tarim.gov.tr/

Turkish IPARD Agency: www.tkdk.gov.tr