From Foundation to Crisis: Gazi Forest Farm and the Great Depression of 1929 (1926-1933)

The establishment, known as Gazi Forest Farm (Gazi Orman Ciftligi) in the early Republican years and Ataturk Forest Farm (Ataturk Orman Ciftligi) in more recent times, is also a large economic enterprise. In this respect, it reflects the Turkish economy and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's view of the economy in the first years of the Republic. Gazi Forest Farm was built to implement modern agricultural and industrial production models in Turkiye and at the same time to create an economic model for the Republican administration. Considering the land on which it was built, the rehabilitation of the swamp for the start of construction process is an example of the solution to the basic problem faced in many regions of the country during the period. Since the lack of mechanised agriculture was acknowledged as the main problem of agriculture in Turkiye, modern agricultural techniques were used in the farm to set an example. In this context, the use of agricultural tools was tried to be popularized by teaching courses to farmers and villagers. Efforts were made to obtain high yields by improving the seeds in the hands of peasants. The agriculture branch of the establishment carried out trial plantings of hard wheat, winter black and white barley types and rye, as well as clover, maize and beetroot suitable for the harsh climate of Ankara to increase the country's low production capacity in these areas. The animal husbandry branch was divided into five different sections before beginning to produce small and large cattle bred in Turkiye. In this study, the establishment of Gazi Orman Ciftligi, its activities after the world economic depression of 1929 and the economic progress made until 1933 were discussed in the light of archival documents.