The Persistence of the Peasantry in Türkiye: Economic Crises, Government Policies, and the Impact of Ecological Degradation

Whether the peasantry will disappear or not has been a central question debated globally throughout the 20th century, as well as in Türkiye. Like many "developing" countries, Türkiye has not yet eliminated its peasantry, despite the widespread effort to abandon villages. The latest statistics on population and agriculture reveal that almost 30 percent of the population still lives in areas designated as "rural," and 90 percent of agricultural enterprises operate on less than 200 da of land, indicating the persistence of petty-commodity production. A recent agricultural law in Türkiye states that if an agricultural area remains unplanted for two years, it can be rented to someone else to cultivate. The recent protests by peasants in Türkiye clearly illustrate the severe crisis in earning a livelihood from agriculture, leading some farmers to destroy their crops or leave their fields fallow. The government has turned this struggle into an opportunity to address the food crisis and food inflation in Türkiye.

What is often overlooked is that a significant number of peasants are adamant about not abandoning their villages and local cultures. As is well known, the Anatolia region is home to diverse ethnicities and cultures, including Alevi-Bektaşi, Kurds, Laz, Zaza, Romani, Arabs, and others. I argue that the determination to stay in the villages is not only about the ability to survive despite dire economic conditions but also due to strong local community ties across Anatolia. Two field studies conducted in different villages in Türkiye highlight this determination and reveal the peasants' strategies. What makes this struggle even more compelling is the impact of ecological degradation, particularly water scarcity, which has begun to affect these villages. We can say that both state policies and ecological disasters are attacking the peasantry in this century, especially in Anatolia, leaving villagers increasingly vulnerable and desperate.