Çiftçiler

Çiftçiler is a term used primarily in Turkish to refer to farmers, the people who engage in agriculture and livestock rearing as their main occupation. The word derives from the Turkish root “çift,” meaning farm or count, combined with the collective suffix “-çiler,” indicating practitioners or workers. In everyday language, it encompasses both small‑scale subsistence farmers and larger commercial agricultural producers.

Historically, Çiftçiler have been the backbone of Turkish rural society. During the Ottoman era, agriculture was organized through the timar system, where land was granted to sipahis (cavalrymen) in exchange for military service, and those who cultivated the land were considered Çiftçiler. After the establishment of the Republic in 1923, reforms aimed at modernizing agriculture led to new land policies, irrigation projects, and the foundation of agricultural cooperatives, fundamentally altering the role and organization of Çiftçiler.

In contemporary Turkey, Çiftçiler continue to employ a significant portion of the population, particularly in the predominantly rural provinces such as Aksaray, Çanakkale, and Balıkesir. The sector produces staples such as wheat, barley, and fruits, as well as cash crops like tobacco and citrus. Many Çiftçiler now adopt mechanized equipment and participate in government subsidy programs designed to improve productivity and sustainability.

Despite progress, Çiftçiler face several challenges: climate change impacts leading to unpredictable rainfall patterns, limited access to modern irrigation, fluctuations in commodity prices, and the migration of rural youth to urban areas. Efforts to support Çiftçiler include investment in rural infrastructure, extension services providing agronomical advice, and initiatives aimed at organic and eco‑friendly farming practices.

Overall, Çiftçiler remain integral to Turkey’s food security, cultural heritage, and rural economies, and modern policies continue to shape their adaptation to an increasingly complex agricultural landscape.