Problems and policies relating to the protection and use of agricultural land in Turkey

The objective of this study is to discuss the problems and policies concerning use and protection of agricultural lands in Turkey, based on available literature and applications in several countries. In this context, particularly the problems of human origin were addressed, rather than those arising from the natural structure and properties of soils. The most important of these problems are unconscious utilization and misuse of lands and small, fragmented and scattered structure of farmlands. Although there are many legal and institutional regulations were issued with regard to this issue, it was concluded that the problems encountered in practice cannot be avoided due to some stability, consistency and coordination problems.