Turkey is preparing to begin agricultural and livestock breeding projects in Africa as part of its objective to reach 150 million people in terms of the future vision for the population. Turkey has already begun developing solutions for potential food scarcities that might emerge as a result of population growth and is set to initially establish a pilot farm in Sudan to grow crops such as wheat, potatoes, cotton, sugarcane, alfalfa and oilseeds as well as fruit and vegetable such as bananas, mangos and dates. Turkey is unable to meet the demand for such products that can be easily grown in Sudan. Additionally, it will soon establish an animal husbandry facility in Djibouti where one-fourth of population lives on stockbreeding. The facility will help maintain the Turkish food market through cattle, sheep and goat breeding.

Today, developed countries and large companies are leasing land in various counties with African countries taking the lead. Currently, 200 million hectares of land are either leased or purchased by other countries in the world, with the U.S., U.K. and India leasing 7.1 million hectares, 3 million hectares and 2 million hectares of land, respectively.

The General Directorate of Agricultural Enterprises (TİGEM) has signed a preliminary contract with Sudan to lease 780,000 hectares in the country. Also, the work of TİGEM on establishing an association company in the country continues. As part of the agreement, Turkey will establish a pilot farm in the Sudan following the founding of the company in the upcoming months.

Turkey is trying to find a solution to its need for livestock and regulate the livestock system in Djibouti by establishing a livestock facility in the country. Moreover, it will offer training to Djiboutian farmers at facilities to be established in the country where animal diseases are prevalent.

Turkey will also conduct land surveys in the country in order to offer technical services in the areas of water, meteorology, forestry, desertification and environmental protection.