Making use of biotechnology applications in Turkish agriculture: why is it not yet happening

Official URL: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ind/ijarge/2007/00000006/F0020004/art00008

One of the primary challenges for developing countries is to create new opportunities for sustainable economic development through the use of new technologies such as biotechnology. In this context, the use of agricultural biotechnology to produce cheap biofuel made from agricultural crops as well as agricultural waste (cellulose) might have a great potential to promote rural development in Turkey. Yet, in order to make it happen it needs a clear commitment of the Turkish government. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of Turkish Science and Technology Policy in making better use of biotechnology to address the country’s economic, environmental and social challenges. Even though Turkish research institutes and institutions of higher education improved their publications record significantly over the past two decades, this new knowledge is not being used by the private sector to generate new products and services. The insufficient use knowledge to promote endogenous economic development is related to inadequate regulation of science and technology in Turkey and the lack of political leadership in the effective implemenation of national initiatives to promote technological innovation. Turkish policy should learn from other advanced developing countries by creating a more effective industrial policy that makes better use of its domestic human intellectual capital and contributes to rural development.