Murat Bozkurt

The Scaling Innovations for Resilience: Sustainable Corn and Wheat conference, part of the FOLUR (Food Systems, Land Use, and Restoration) Impact Program—one of the World Bank’s key regional projects—was held in Istanbul.

The increasing global demand for food, misdirected agricultural practices, and climate change threaten the sustainability of grain production. Under the leadership of the World Bank and funded by the Global Environment Facility, the Scaling Innovations for Resilience: Sustainable Corn and Wheat conference took place in Istanbul, hosted by Turkey.

At the event, Barilla Supply Chain Director Murat Bozkurt shared details of the company’s contract-based and sustainable agricultural model, which has been implemented in Turkey for nearly 25 years. Highlighting Barilla’s use of an innovative platform that guides farmers through satellite data and soil analyses, Bozkurt stated: “Thanks to the contract farming model we launched 25 years ago, we have established closer cooperation with farmers. Around 15 years ago, we expanded this by introducing our sustainable agriculture project. Centered in Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Konya, Tekirdağ, and Kırklareli, we have carried out durum wheat production with a comprehensive program that includes farmer training and financial support for small-scale farmers. Through this integrated model, agricultural productivity has increased by 13%.”

Bozkurt emphasized that Barilla adopts sustainability principles in all processes, from durum wheat production to consumption. He also explained the company’s practices aimed at enhancing efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.