Evaluating Organic Cotton Production in Türkiye

Summary

Cotton is crucial for Türkiye in terms of its extensive production and added value and employment opportunities. Especially, it is the leading country in the world with regards to yield and fibre quality. Rising awareness about environment conservation as well as health hazards caused by agrochemicals has brought a great alteration in consumer preference towards organic production particularly in developed countries. Textile products made of organic cotton which have contributed to the environment, economy and social development in particular, are started to be preferred. In this study, Türkiye's organic cotton production and its processes were evaluated by SWOT analysis method and solution proposals were presented within the scope of the achieved results. The strength as a result of the SWOT analysis is to have the appropriate geography and climate characteristics both in terms of production and market access. Subsidies and support policies for organic cotton production remained small scaled when the costs are compared to conventional production The most important opportunities are as follows; firstly, cultivation of GMO seeds is banned in the country and secondly, organic cotton regarding quality and fibre length has high demand in market. Higher prices of competing products (such as corn) are defined as the important threats. Türkiye has a good knowledge on organic farming, may enhance its potential of utilization in organic seed-cotton production. It is necessary to support organic cotton production that contribute to environment, economy and development, its cost should be reduced, along with carrying out long term researches to disseminate to farmers.