1. Purpose of the activity
The main purpose of the field work, carried out with a “measure in the field, record, improve” approach, is to strengthen a production discipline that bases producers' day-to-day production decisions on measurable data, to disseminate practicable steps of precision farming in the field, and to turn observations from producers into an institutional feedback mechanism.
In this context, the practical field relevance of precision farming practices was assessed together with producers, the Agricultural Advocacy approach and the working system of the Anatolian Farmers' Council (AÇM) were brought to the field, and high value-added production and market access models were introduced through medicinal and aromatic plants.
2. Scope and methodology of the activity
The field visits and the training and information meetings held in the Manisa and İzmir field area focused on practices that, through well-timed and correctly dosed interventions in soil–water–plant management, increase input efficiency, reduce costs, save water and lower risks.
Key methods and topics addressed
Parcel-based observation and measurement approach, record-keeping discipline and traceability
A decision-making culture based on field data (technology investment + field routine) and standardisation of early warning and observation routines
The Anatolian Farmers' Council cycle: “field → data → report → decision → implementation → monitoring”
3. Field findings and assessments
During the field visits, areas where yield losses are frequent and parcel-level application errors are concentrated were assessed on site together with producers. In particular, the following topics were addressed through actual practices in the field:
Improving the irrigation schedule (adjusting timing and quantity according to need)
Redesigning the fertilisation plan according to field conditions
The effects of parcel-level differences in practice on yield
Making early warning, observation and record-keeping processes routine
4. Training and information content
4.1 Precision farming and sustainability
4.2 Agricultural Advocacy and the Anatolian Farmers' Council model
It was explained that observations from producers should not remain isolated complaints but should be transformed into an institutional language based on verifiable data. Accordingly, it was stated that field outputs would be reported in line with the AÇM cycle.
4.3 Value-added production models for medicinal and aromatic plants
Income diversification in medicinal and aromatic plants and processing steps that increase product value were shared with producers.
Topics covered:
Oil, extract, drying and standardisation processes
Processing models that can be applied at producer scale
Gaining bargaining power and income stability by increasing added value
5. Outputs and follow-up plan
Observations from the field visits will be recorded with verifiable data.
Findings will be reported in line with the Anatolian Farmers' Council's “field, data, report, decision, implementation, monitoring” cycle.
Dissemination steps and a field plan will be developed to scale up good practices.
Ongoing visits in the İzmir field area will continue with the aim of turning producer experience into an institutional feedback mechanism.
Conclusion
The field work carried out in the Manisa–İzmir field area on 8 January 2026 strengthened the practicable steps of sustainable precision farming and contributed to consolidating the Agricultural Advocacy approach in the field together with producers. In the coming period, activities will continue through field programmes in different basins, maintaining the aim of generating measurable impact in line with the “Greener Tomorrow” goal.
