Bursa Commodity Exchange (Bursa TB) Chairman of the Board Özer Matlı, in his message for World Farmers’ Day on May 14, drew attention to the risks of employment loss and an aging population in agriculture, emphasizing that bringing young people who are neither in education nor employment into production is of strategic importance for Türkiye’s future.
Bursa Commodity Exchange (Bursa TB) Chairman of the Board Özer Matlı issued a message on the occasion of World Farmers’ Day on May 14. Stating that one of the most critical issues for the sustainability of production in Türkiye is the human resource in agriculture, Chairman Matlı emphasized that the farming population is gradually aging and that young people are moving away from the sector. Reminding that the average age in the agricultural sector is approaching the threshold of 60, Matlı noted that a serious situation is being faced not only in terms of production but also in terms of generational continuity in agriculture.
“Youth employment stands out for transformation in agriculture”
Expressing that the data of the Turkish Statistical Institute clearly reveal the need for structural transformation in agriculture, Chairman Özer Matlı said, “According to 2025 data, employment in agriculture decreased by 5.5 percent to 4 million 560 thousand people, while the youth unemployment rate has reached 15.3 percent. At the same time, we are faced with a picture in which nearly 5 million young people are neither in education nor employment. On one side, there is land looking for producers; on the other, young people looking for their future. This picture, which cannot be evaluated independently from one another, clearly shows us that we must bring our young people together with modern agricultural technologies, entrepreneurship and production. Because distancing young people from the soil creates significant risks in terms of food supply security.”
“Our farmers manage both production and risk”
Stating that production costs continue to be an important agenda item in the agricultural sector, Chairman Matlı said that uncertainties arising from global developments and climate change affect production processes. Özer Matlı said, “Today, our farmers are trying to manage not only production but also costs, natural conditions and market dynamics together. Supporting our producers is of great importance in the agricultural sector, which has strategic significance in terms of food supply security and sustainable production.”
“We are strengthening structures that protect the labor of our producers”
Stating that, as Bursa Commodity Exchange, they have implemented projects that protect the hard work of producers, increase their market power and enable them to evaluate their products at their true value, Chairman Matlı noted that Marmara Product Market Intermediary Institution, among whose founding partners they are, offers significant advantages to producers. Matlı said, “Product markets are of great importance so that our producers do not have to sell their products below their value due to market pressure during the harvest period. By providing many advantages from access to finance to price transparency, these structures ensure that products find their true value, thereby safeguarding both producers and supply security.”
A vision that transforms agricultural production into added value: Food Specialized Organized Industrial Zone
Referring also to the Food Specialized Organized Industrial Zone project, which will be implemented for the first time in Türkiye by a commodity exchange, Özer Matlı stated that, as Bursa Commodity Exchange, they continue investments that will transform producers’ labor into higher economic value with determination. Matlı said, “Our goal is not only to produce, but also to increase the income of our producers by processing and branding the value produced. We are building a strong production ecosystem where labor that begins in the field meets industry, technology and exports.”
Emphasizing that farmers, who continue to cultivate the soil, produce and contribute to the prosperity of our country despite challenging production conditions, deserve every appreciation, Özer Matlı said, “On the occasion of World Farmers’ Day on May 14, I sincerely congratulate all our producers. As Bursa Commodity Exchange, we will continue to stand by our producers and develop projects that provide solutions to problems.”