Vertical Farming and Urban Agriculture in Türkiye: 2024–2025 Business Landscape

Vertical farming and urban agriculture in Türkiye have rapidly evolved into strategic sectors offering significant investment opportunities. With increasing urbanization, shrinking arable land, and limited water resources, these innovative models have become crucial in ensuring sustainable food production. Despite the high cost of urban land, vertical farming enables efficient food cultivation through multi-layered production systems that maximize output per square meter.

Economic Potential of Vertical Farming

In Türkiye, vertical farming technology allows productivity that is up to 400 times higher per square meter compared to traditional farming. This is achieved through advanced hydroponic systems that use 99% less water, representing a major advantage for regions facing water scarcity. The method eliminates dependency on large farmland areas and supports year-round, high-quality food production.

Beyond efficiency, the economic benefits of vertical farming include lower logistics costs and reduced carbon emissions. Producing food directly within urban areas shortens transportation times and ensures fresher products reach consumers. This approach reduces intermediary expenses while enhancing food security and overall quality.

Government Support in 2024–2025

The Turkish government actively supports the modernization of the agricultural sector. In 2024, direct agricultural subsidies reached 91 billion Turkish lira. For the 2025 production year, a new support model was introduced, establishing a base support rate of 244 lira per decare.

Under this new model, crop production subsidies are categorized into three main groups:

• basic support
• planned production support
• production development support

Additional incentives target strategic crops such as wheat, barley, corn, lentils, chickpeas, beans, cotton, canola, sunflower, and forage plants. Producers operating in basins with water limitations also receive additional aid, encouraging crop rotation and sustainable resource use.

Organized Agricultural Zones and Infrastructure

By 2024, Türkiye had completed infrastructure in 14 organized agricultural zones, with production initiated in 11 of them. These zones provide essential facilities for implementing modern agricultural techniques, from irrigation to smart climate control.

In addition, the government allocated 10.5 billion lira to support agricultural insurance programs, resulting in 12 billion lira in damage compensation payments. This comprehensive insurance framework significantly mitigates production risks for farmers and agribusiness investors.

Technical Advantages of Vertical Farming

Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) allows vertical farms to operate continuously throughout the year. Through advanced technologies such as LED lighting, temperature regulation, and humidity control, producers are no longer dependent on seasonal cycles or outdoor conditions, ensuring stable food supply even amid climate challenges.

Furthermore, closed-system farming drastically reduces pesticide and chemical fertilizer use. Since pests and weeds are managed under controlled conditions, the resulting produce is healthier and more sustainable.

Opportunities for Entrepreneurs

The 2024–2025 period in Türkiye marks significant progress in soilless agricultural technology and state-backed innovation programs. For global entrepreneurs and investors, this environment offers diverse entry points—from compact urban systems supporting small-scale production to fully commercial facilities designed for high-capacity yields.

Current market dynamics also favor smart technology integration. Artificial intelligence, autonomous sensors, and data-driven monitoring are being deployed to improve efficiency and optimize resource use. Collaboration between local governments and the private sector supports this progress by integrating green production areas into housing and commercial infrastructure projects. For instance, rooftop gardens and building-integrated farms are becoming a part of urban design.

Planned Production System

Türkiye has officially activated a planned agricultural production system that covers plant production, livestock, and fisheries. This model aligns output with actual market demand, mitigating the risk of overproduction and price volatility.

The new support framework for the 2025–2027 period rewards producers who adhere to planned production rules. Farmers using locally bred and certified seeds developed through public breeding programs are also eligible for extra benefits, promoting both innovation and local seed development.

Future Outlook of the Sector

Vertical farming and urban agriculture play a critical role in Türkiye’s food security strategy by enabling water conservation and reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint. As climate change and water scarcity challenges intensify globally, these models are providing sustainable and scalable production solutions.

Given that agriculture consumes around 70% of the world’s clean water resources, Türkiye’s transition toward controlled-environment farming is a forward-looking policy. With government incentives, robust infrastructure, and a growing technology ecosystem, Türkiye stands out as a promising destination for international investors interested in sustainable agri-tech ventures.