1. The Beginning of Organic Farming in the World and Its Philosophical Foundations
The intellectual foundations of organic farming were laid in 1924, during the agricultural lectures delivered by Rudolf Steiner in Koberwitz (Kobierzyce). In these lectures, Steiner emphasized that the farm should be seen as a living system operating within itself, independent of external inputs; he highlighted the importance of cosmic rhythms, soil vitality, and the holistic functioning of farm ecology. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) notes that these lectures marked the beginning of the “ecological-organic approach” in the definition of organic farming (FAO, “What is organic agriculture?”; source: https://www.fao.org/4/y4137e/y4137e01.htm). In addition, historical summaries accessible via FAO’s AGRIS database support the functional context of modern organic farming thought (AGRIS/FAO historical summary, source: https://agris.fao.org/search/en/providers/125349/records/67487dc87625988a371c60f4).
2. Rising Attention: Post-War Period and the Need for Regulation
After World War II, the widespread use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture raised environmental and food safety concerns, which in turn increased consumer demand for more natural food. In the 1980s, as ecological awareness grew, countries moved toward official regulations supporting organic production. The European Union (EU) enacted its first regulation on organic farming and labeling in 1991 (Regulation 2092/91), updated it in 2007 (Regulation 834/2007), and in 2018 shaped today’s framework with Regulation (EU) 2018/848, covering labeling, production standards, and control mechanisms. The EU Commission’s organic farming legislation page presents the timeline of this transition (EU) legislation page: https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu
/farming/organic-farming/legislation_en; market and consumer trends report: https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2019-03/market-brief-organic-farming-in-the-eu_mar2019_en_0.pdf).
3. National-Scale Standardization in the USA
In the United States, national-level standardization in organic food production began with the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of 1990. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the “final rule” of this law in 2000, thus formally launching the National Organic Program (NOP). By 2002, standard practices were fully in effect. The establishment process and history of this legislation are detailed in publications by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and Economic Research Service (ERS) (NIFA: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/
programs/organic-agriculture-program; ERS history/summary report: https://www.ers.usda.gov/
publications/pub-details?pubid=42492 and consumer trends information: https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2023/november/rising-consumer-demand-reshapes-landscape-for-u-s-organic-farmers).
The Evolution of Organic Farming in Türkiye
4. First Initiatives: The 1980s and Licensed Production
In Türkiye, export-oriented initiatives in organic farming began in the 1980s. The demand for natural products in European markets led some producers to adopt environmentally friendly methods. This period marks a beginning where legal frameworks had not yet been established, but pilot-scale practices had started to emerge.
5. Official Regulations: 1994 and the 2004 Law
The first official organic farming regulation in Türkiye was enacted in 1994; although not a detailed standard, it was an important step in laying the legal foundation. Subsequently, in 2004, the Turkish Grand National Assembly adopted Law No. 5262 on Organic Farming, which established the sector’s legal basis and strengthened its institutional structure. Documents from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s IPARD program and its official website clearly outline this period (IPARD III Annex: https://ipard.tarimorman.gov.tr/Content/IPARDIII_REV.2.en.pdf; Ministry general information: https://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/Konular/Bitkisel-Uretim/Organik-Tarim/Genel-Bilgiler).
6. Regulations and Implementation Practices
Following the enactment of the law, secondary regulations to govern organic farming were quickly developed. The first implementation regulation came into effect on 10 June 2005. Subsequently, on 18 August 2010, the “Regulation on the Principles and Implementation of Organic Farming” was published in the Official Gazette (No. 27676). This regulation, which covers certification, control, record systems (e.g., OTBİS), and implementation principles, was later revised through various amendments. Official publications confirm these developments (2010 Regulation: https://arastirma.tarimorman.gov.tr/aricilik/Belgeler/Mevzuat/Organik%20Tar%C4%B1m%C4%B1n%20
Esaslar%C4%B1%20ve%20Uygulanmas%C4%B1na%20%C4%B0li%C5%9Fkin%20Y%C3%B6netmelik.pdf; 2018 amendment example: https://istanbul.tarimorman.gov.tr/Belgeler/SolMenu/RESMIGAZETE2018/OrganikTarimEsaslariYonetmelik.pdf; Ministry legislation page: https://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/Sayfalar/Detay.aspx?Liste=Mevzuat&OgeId=71).
7. Institutional Structure and Current Practices
Today, organic farming in Türkiye is carried out within the framework of Law No. 5262, the 2010 regulation, and its amendments. Control bodies authorized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry operate in the field, and systems such as OTBİS(=Organic Farming Information System) ensure registration and traceability. In addition, state support tools (such as grants and technical assistance for organic production) are implemented, and emphasis is placed on aligning regulations with EU legislation (General information: https://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/Konular/Bitkisel-Uretim/Organik-Tarim/Genel-Bilgiler; example of field training: https://sanliurfa.tarimorman.gov.tr/Haber/3/Gapta-Organik-Tarim-Egitimi).
General Evaluation: Parallels Between the Global and Turkish Perspectives
Philosophical/Conceptual Period (1924 – …): Steiner’s ideas laid the foundations of the ecological and “holistic” perspective in organic farming. Publications by FAO and universities emphasize this origin.
Formation of the Regulatory Structure (1980s – …): Legal regulations in the EU and USA institutionalized the sector. In Türkiye, this effort extended from the mid-1990s into the 2000s.
Institutionalization and Implementation (2000s – …): While regulations in developed countries were updated, in Türkiye Law No. 5262 and its implementing regulations formalized the sector and implemented control and support systems.
Compliance and Traceability (Present): Both the EU and Türkiye operate organic farming within a traceable, transparent, and certified system. Türkiye aims to align more closely with EU and global norms, particularly through production for export markets.