The official execution and monitoring of organic farming activities in Turkey is carried out under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, within the General Directorate of Plant Production.
T.R. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry official website for information on organic farming:
https://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/Konular/Bitkisel-Uretim/Organik-Tarim
General Directorate of Plant Production: (https://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/BUGEM/Iletisim)
Address:
T.R. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry – General Directorate of Plant Production – Eskişehir Yolu 9th Km Lodumlu / ANKARA
Phone: +90 312 287 33 60 (10 lines)
Fax: 0 312 258 83 95
Department Name: Department of Good Agricultural Practices and Organic Farming
Head of Department: Dr. Başak EGESEL
Department of Good Agricultural Practices and Organic Farming Phone: 0 312 258 83 14
Department of Good Agricultural Practices and Organic Farming Fax: 0 312 258 83 21
From the website of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the following information related to organic farming can be accessed:
List of active commercial companies operating in the field of organic farming,
Administrative fines applied to those who violate the provisions of Organic Farming Law No. 5262,
List of authorized control and certification bodies, along with operator lists and relevant web addresses,
Legislation on organic farming subsidies and conditions for producers to receive support, including area-based payments and organic beekeeping incentives,
Training dates for organic farming inspectors,
General information under Law No. 5262 and the Regulation on the Principles and Implementation of Organic Farming published in the Official Gazette No. 27676; including how to start organic farming, and information for consumers,
Annual statistics on organic farming production,
Annual statistics on organic product imports and exports,
Implementation and monitoring: Structure, duties, procedures and principles of the National Steering Committee on Organic Farming, the Organic Farming Committee and Organic Farming Units.
Aegean Exporters’ Associations (EİB)
The Aegean Exporters’ Associations (EİB) is the umbrella organization of exporter unions operating in the Aegean Region, a key hub for Turkey’s agricultural and food product exports. In addition to traditional agricultural products, the institution also carries out sectoral support and promotional activities in the field of organic agriculture.
EİB fulfills its core functions in organic agriculture through producer information services, international promotional events, and sectoral reporting. To boost the export of organic products, it organizes participation in international trade fairs and supports the expansion of organic production through training programs, consultancy services, and cluster-based development projects for producers and exporters. Furthermore, it publishes market analyses and current data to strengthen the producer–exporter network within the sector.
Through these activities, EİB aims to enhance the visibility and competitiveness of Turkey’s organic agriculture potential in international markets.
IFOAM – Organics International: The Global Network for Organic Agriculture
IFOAM – Organics International is a global civil society organization that supports the development of organic agriculture worldwide and provides guidance at the policy, standards, and implementation levels. Established in 1972, the organization brings together numerous member entities from over 100 countries to promote organic farming on a global scale.
Its core functions include the development of organic standards, dissemination of best practices, capacity-building efforts, and advocacy at the policy level. IFOAM also works to harmonize organic certification systems and implements projects aimed at supporting organic production in developing countries.
IFOAM is widely recognized as a key reference organization that promotes science-based practices, sustainable production, and environmentally friendly agricultural policies at the international level.
FiBL – Research Institute of Organic Agriculture
FiBL (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture) is one of the leading independent research institutes providing applied research, education, and consultancy services in the field of organic farming. Founded in 1973 in Switzerland, FiBL now also operates in Germany, France, and other European countries.
The institute’s core functions include the development of organic production systems, environmental sustainability assessments, support for agricultural policy-making, and the provision of technical solutions for producers. FiBL generates scientifically based data on key areas such as soil health, plant protection, animal husbandry, input use, and market structures, and shares its findings with farmers, public institutions, and policymakers.
FiBL also takes part in international projects to support the global advancement of organic agriculture and publishes the annual report “The World of Organic Agriculture,” which provides insight into global trends in the sector.
USDA NOP – National Organic Program
The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) is the official certification and inspection system administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that regulates organic production, processing, and marketing activities across the country. The program establishes the standards that must be followed in the production of organic goods and monitors their implementation.
Key responsibilities of the NOP include defining what qualifies as an organic product, setting labeling requirements, overseeing accredited certification bodies, certifying producers and operations, and ensuring consumer confidence in the organic label. Additionally, the program facilitates organic trade by establishing equivalency arrangements with certain countries under international trade agreements.
The NOP serves as the primary regulatory authority ensuring that the organic agriculture system in the United States operates in a transparent, reliable, and traceable manner.
European Commission – Organic Farming Policy
The European Commission’s organic farming policy establishes the legal and strategic framework for the regulation of organic production, processing, labeling, and control systems across the European Union. This framework aims to ensure that organic products in EU member states are sustainable, reliable, and transparently presented to consumers.
The Commission’s main functions in the field of organic farming include setting the rules for organic production, overseeing certification procedures, regulating the use of the EU organic logo, and implementing support programs to promote the expansion of organic agriculture. Under the “EU Organic Action Plan,” the Commission also provides financial incentives to producers, enhances consumer awareness, and supports related research projects.
Through these policies, the European Commission seeks to encourage environmental sustainability and to strengthen the role of organic farming within the EU food system.
WWOOF – A Cultural and Agricultural Exchange Network on Organic Farms
WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) is an international network that connects volunteers with organic farms around the world. Established in 1971, this non-profit initiative aims to promote hands-on learning in organic agriculture, cultural exchange, and the spread of sustainable living practices.
The WWOOF system allows volunteers to participate in the daily work of organic farms for a set period of time. During their stay, volunteers receive accommodation and basic needs from the host farm, while the farmers benefit from production support. The program encourages experiential learning in organic farming and fosters understanding of local food systems.
WWOOF plays a significant role in promoting both personal awareness and community-based approaches to sustainable agriculture.
Rodale Institute – Applied Research and Education Center for Organic Farming
Rodale Institute is a well-established research institution based in the United States, known for conducting applied research in organic agriculture. Founded in 1947, the institute is recognized for its scientific studies that examine the environmental, economic, and health-related sustainability of organic farming systems.
The institute’s core functions include long-term field trials, soil health assessments, and data collection on environmental indicators such as carbon sequestration, with findings shared directly with farmers. Rodale Institute also organizes technical training programs for growers, provides guidance for transitioning to organic production, and publishes resources to raise public awareness about the benefits of organic farming.
Rodale Institute is considered a leading research and education organization that supports the science-based development of organic agriculture and has played an influential role in shaping agricultural practices and policies in the United States.
OFRF – Organic Farming Research Foundation
The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is an independent, U.S.-based organization that supports scientific research in organic agriculture and provides producer-focused information resources. Established in 1990, the foundation aims to promote the advancement of organic production, enhance environmental sustainability, and prioritize research that addresses the practical needs of farmers.
OFRF’s core functions include funding research projects that respond to real-world challenges faced by farmers, providing guidance for the organic transition process, and developing educational materials. The foundation also engages in advocacy to influence public policy in support of organic agriculture.
By combining scientific knowledge with practical application, OFRF seeks to facilitate the adoption of organic practices, particularly among small- and medium-scale producers.
The Organic Research Centre – Organic and Agroecological Farming Research in the United Kingdom
The Organic Research Centre (ORC) is an independent research institution based in the United Kingdom, dedicated to the development of organic and agroecological farming systems. The organization conducts applied research in key areas such as environmental sustainability, soil health, biodiversity, livestock, and crop production.
ORC’s core functions include the scientific evaluation of organic farming methods, the development of informational and guidance materials for farmers, and the provision of data-driven recommendations to policymakers. It also contributes to the wider adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. In addition, the centre implements participatory research projects that integrate farmers’ experiences into the research process, focusing on practical, field-level solutions.
The Organic Research Centre is one of the leading institutions supporting the science-based advancement of organic agriculture in the United Kingdom.
OMRI – Organic Materials Review Institute
The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) is an independent, non-profit organization that evaluates the compliance of input materials (such as fertilizers, pesticides, feed additives, cleaning agents, etc.) for use in organic agriculture. Established in 1997 and based in the United States, OMRI provides technical guidance to producers, inspectors, and certifying bodies throughout the organic certification process.
The institute’s main function is to review commercial input products intended for use in agricultural and processed goods to determine their compliance with organic production standards, and to publish approved inputs in a publicly accessible list. The OMRI List is recognized as a trusted reference by many organic certification systems, particularly the U.S. National Organic Program (USDA NOP).
By promoting transparency and standard-compliant input use in organic farming, OMRI helps strengthen both producer assurance and consumer confidence in organic products.
