Turkey to Lease Agricultural Land in 10 Countries: What Are the Plans?

Turkey is engaged in negotiations with 10 countries, including Ukraine, to lease land for agricultural production. The aim is to cultivate crops that cannot be produced in Turkey due to climatic or other reasons.

The Hurriyet newspaper reports that in addition to Ukraine, Turkish authorities are negotiating with countries in Latin America and Africa on this matter.

The Turkish side expects to grow sunflowers, corn, cotton, sugarcane, alfalfa, pineapples, mangoes, and avocados abroad. A significant portion of the produce will be exported, and the projects will be carried out by the private sector.

According to the newspaper, the issue was discussed during the visit of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to Turkey. The Latin American country offered to lease 400,000 hectares of land.

“Produce 100 kg of wheat, keep 70 for yourselves, and leave us 30; that is enough for us,” said the head of Venezuela's Ministry of Agriculture.