Practices of Garden Agriculture in Istanbul and Ankara in 1942 within the Scope of Agricultural Mobilization

Although Turkey was out of World War II, the war had a significant impact on the Turkish economy and society. Turkey, which lived in rural areas and lived with agriculture for a large part of its population, has experienced significant economic difficulties. During the war, the increase in military spending, the decrease in production and imports created a heavy economic burden on the people. Inflation created an economic crisis in the society, the shift of economic forces to the military area caused decreases in agricultural production; as a result of the shortage of food items, card practices began; famine was experienced in some places. Turkey, which tried to remain out of war with the start of the Second World War, declared a mobilization. Although the declaration of mobilization was considered as a measure of national defense against foreign threats, it has led to a problem of food in the country as of its consequences. In addition to Mobilization, the recruitment of the productive class in the military sector has brought about the problem of feeding the military and also caused the problem of food in the country. Upon this problem, the government launched the agricultural mobilization with the password "at least twice the product". During the agricultural mobilization, the government assisted the producer with seed and agricultural tools, tried not to leave the lands of the country empty as much as possible, and vegetables and fruits were grown instead of flowers even in the house, apartment and school gardens. Studies have been carried out to increase agricultural production and the relevant authorities have taken action considering that gardening also played a major role in production. Producers were encouraged throughout the country by emphasizing that the public should meet some of the food needs in their own gardens. Ministry of Agriculture has helped the citizens in respect of seeds, seedlings and technical information. With the measures taken, every empty land was ensured to be planted and the product was sought to be obtained at maximum level.