Focus on Seed Programs The Seed Industry in Turkey

Abstract

Turkey lies between latitudes 36-42oN and longitudes 26-45 oE linking Asia and Europe. The actual surface area including lakes and rivers is 81.5 million ha (79 million land) stretching 1,660 km long and 550 km wide. The country is characterized by a great diversity of agroecological zones. Geographically Turkey is situated in temperate region, but the diverse nature of the landscape, and the existence in particular of the mountains that run parallel to the coasts, results in significant differences in climatic conditions from one region to the other. While the coastal areas enjoy milder climates, the inland Anatolian plateau experiences extremes of hot summers and cold winters with limited rainfall. The average annual rainfall is about 680 mm. Consequently, a wide range of tropical and temperate crops are grown under rainfed and irrigated conditions. Based on agroecology and available resources both intensive and extensive crop production is practiced through out the country.