While the 2025 Budget Report highlights a contraction in the agricultural sector, innovative food solutions developed by TÜBİTAK-supported The Good Wild offer hope. By combining science and agriculture, Turkey aims to contribute solutions to the global food crisis, positioning itself as a potential leader in sustainable food innovation.
Agricultural Decline in 2025 Budget Report, but Innovative Solutions Bring Hope
The 2025 Budget Justification Report revealed a 0.2% contraction in the agricultural sector. Despite Turkey being Europe’s largest agricultural producer with a budget of 706 billion TL, this decline has accelerated the search for new solutions.
In this context, TÜBİTAK-led scientific research stands out. Of the 63.4 billion TL allocated to R&D in 2025, 46.1 billion TL will fund TÜBİTAK projects. Key goals include:
Increasing the number of R&D personnel to 300,000
Raising the number of international scientific publications to 82,000
Fostering science-minded generations
A Success Story: The Good Wild
Among TÜBİTAK-supported projects, The Good Wild led by nutritionist Dilara Koçak, has made significant strides:
Developing high-protein products from chickpeas, wheat, and mung beans
Utilizing groundbreaking fermentation methods
Winning the International Typography Awards "Certificate of Excellence"
Studies show that 47% of children’s caloric intake comes from processed foods, rising to 59% by age seven. Projects like The Good Wild combine traditional agricultural products with modern science to provide both nutritious and sustainable solutions.
These forward-looking initiatives meet Gen Z’s demand for healthy snacks, enhancing Turkey's potential to lead in global food innovation.