b"TRKIYE:A RISING POWERIN THE GLOBAL SEED SECTORHow Trkiyes thriving seed sector is shaping agriculture through innovation, trade, and policy.By Yldray GENER, President of TSABTHE TURKISH SEEDsector has experienced significant TSAB (Association for Seed Producers - public in nature)growth in recent decades. Trkiye, with its diverse climatic BSAB (Association for Plant Breeders - public in nature)zones and fertile agricultural lands, produces a wide range of FiDEBiRLiK (Assos. For Seedling Producers - public incrops. The main crops in the Turkish seed sector include cerealsnature)(wheat, barley, and rice), pulses (lentils, chickpeas, and beans), TYAB (Association for Seed Growers - public in nature)oilseeds (sunflower, cotton, and soybean), forage crops, and TODAB (Association for Seed Distributors - public in nature)vegetables. Trkiye has over 38 million hectares of agricultural SSBiR (Association for Ornamental Plant Producers - land, of which a significant portion is dedicated to seed produc- public in nature)tion. The total certified seed production in 2024 was 1,303,000 FUAB (Association for Sapling Producers - public in nature) tons. Of this amount, 3258 tons belong to vegetable species. These entities are recognized as public associations under The sector comprises various types of companies, includingSeed Law No. 5553. On the other hand, associations private in multinational seed corporations, domestic private companies,nature (as in the case of TRKTED and TUBID) are subject to the cooperatives, and public research institutions. Currently, TrkiyeAssociations Law no 5253. has more than 1,131 registered seed companies as members ofBoth TSAB and TRKTED are Trkiye's seed associations, TSAB (Turkish Seed Producers Association). Among these mem- and their members largely overlap. However, these two organi-bers engaged in seed multiplication and trade, 258 are breederzations have distinct legal statuses. TRKTED is an association companies with R&D capacity. The country has also positionedformed in 1985 with the legal status of a private entity, meaning itself as a regional hub for seed production, trade, and research,individuals and legal entities (companies) engaged in the seed making the sector a crucial part of its agricultural economy. sector may choose to become members voluntarily. In con-trast, TSAB is a public professional organization with manda-National Representation tory membership (legally required in accordance with Trkiyes The seed sector has been represented by the national associa- Seed Law No. 5553) for individuals and legal entities wishing to tions. The Turkish Seed Union (TRKTOB) serves as a pivotalengage in seed activities in Trkiye. While TRKTED was estab-organization within Trkiye's seed sector. TRKTOB coordinateslished before the enactment of the Seed Law in 2006, TSAB several sub-unions operating under its umbrella, including:was founded in 2008 following the implementation of this law.60/ SEEDWORLD.COMINTERNATIONAL EDITION 2025"