Biotech Studies 2016, Vol 25, Num, 1     (Pages: 255-279)

Current Status of Agricultural Higher Education and Field Crops Department in Turkey

Cemalettin Yaşar ÇİFTÇİ

1 Ankara Üniversitesi, Ziraat Fakültesi, Tarla Bitkileri Bölümü, Ankara DOI : 10.21566/tarbitderg.280505 - Turkey`s first agricultural higher education started with named `Ziraat Talimhanesi` in 1847, İstanbul Ayamama; which is followed by several other schools: Halkalı Agriculture Grand School, Ankara High Agriculture School and Agricultural Faculty of High Agriculture Institute (present Ankara University Faculty of Agriculture). Today, number of Turkish universities offering degrees on agriculture in different disciplines are reached 39 (one being foundation university) which was inititated with the faculties of agriculture of Ege University (1955) and Ataturk University (1957). In addition to the university and collage education, 449 (376 first and 73 second teaching) undergraduate agricultural programs in vocational schools accepted admissions for 2012-2013 academic year. Field Crops Departments in Turkey were originated from Plant Cultivation and Plant Breeding Institute (under Agricultural Faculty of High Agriculture Institute) which undergo many title changes from its founding in 30.10.1933 until today. Currently, there are 185 universities (109 state and 76 foundation) in Turkey. There were only 7 state universities between 1933-1960 when total number of universities rapidly increased and reached 19 by 1980 and 53 by 2005. In a duration of 9 years between 2006 and 2015, 56 additional universities are founded and total number of Turkish universities are increased to 109. This paper aims to explain current status and evaluate solutions for problems concerning faculties of agriculture in Turkey which used to accept top %1-10 students in university admission exams until late 1970`s. Keywords : History of Faculties of Agriculture, current status, problems, solutions