Soil, which has accompanied humanity for centuries as the source of life and provided living spaces upon it, is one of the fundamental elements of existence. Looking at its formation, it is essentially a repository centre where the most important nutritional sources in nature are transformed, simply formed by the pulverisation of earth crust remnants. This centre also became an instrument of production the moment humans sowed the first seed into the soil and acquired the consciousness of cultivation. This situation still continues today. When we look back at the history of the land, we understand this much better.
At the Çayönü Mound, one of the most significant archaeological sites in Turkey, we can observe the transition from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to settled life in a much broader and more detailed manner than in most Neolithic settlements. One of the primary drivers of this transition is the land. Without the cultivation of the land, agriculture and production would be impossible, and the transition to settled life could not have been achieved. With the transition to settled life, cities were established, and population density within these cities increased. Communities settling in regions rich in resources pioneered the birth of civilisations. The Egyptian civilisation, one of the world’s first, was established around the River Nile, and agriculture became its most important means of subsistence. Therefore, land has been one of the most crucial elements in the formation of civilisations.
Communities clustering around resources formed cities, and within these cities, significant discoveries were made in fields such as mathematics, geometry, biology, and medicine. Alongside scientific advancements, substantial progress was recorded in the arts. Populations reaching into the millions in cities generated greater needs, paving the way for urban infrastructure.
With increasing urban densities, the demand for land both within and adjacent to cities also surged. The primary reason for this demand is the pursuit of access to civilisation, science, culture, and social services. This pursuit deepened further following the Industrial Revolution, accelerating the migration from rural areas to cities. Structural density increased in metropolitan areas housing millions, and regions unable to cope with the surging population spilled outwards. Land parcels, taking shape according to the characteristics of the regions and cities, evolved in line with these concepts. In areas with industrial requirements, land was developed in accordance with the objectives of these structures and interest groups. As a natural consequence of this, concepts such as industrial cities, tourism cities, and agricultural cities emerged.
Massive migration to these cities occurred due to advantages such as employment opportunities, social amenities, infrastructure, and healthcare services. This migration concurrently increased the need for shelter, significantly impacting the supply and demand balance of residential areas. New buildings and development zones were created to provide new living spaces for the dense, growing population. The most crucial element of this supply and demand balance remained the land. Without land, construction is impossible. In certain regions, demand became exceptionally high, causing prices to rise exponentially. These are the areas with the highest structural density and the greatest demand for housing. Construction became so dense that agricultural lands, the primary source of nutrition, which is a fundamental need alongside shelter, were destroyed and repurposed for other uses. The destruction of agricultural land, coupled with the nutritional needs of a growing population, led to the emergence of new food products, primarily packaged foods. The depletion of agricultural land meant that this intense demand for food had to be met with rapidly produced goods, often using chemical additives to shorten production times. This shift has led to various diseases in the human body and brought about severe environmental issues. Industrial settlements established around cities, along with the plastic packaging and chemical by-products produced, have caused severe damage to the environment. This, coupled with climate change, has led to irreversible consequences.
Everything that has transpired from the day the land was first cultivated to the present has increased the value of land parcels with each passing day. People who migrated to cities severed their connection with the soil; while generating income, they were exposed to urban diseases, and the further they moved away from the land, the better they understood its true value. Products grown naturally in the soil were eventually marketed under natural concepts, and as their production steadily decreased, demand naturally increased. The demand for the product inherently boosted the interest in the source of the product, which is the land. Governments developed policies in this direction, and long-term agricultural strategies were implemented under ministries of agriculture. Today, agriculture stands as one of the most vital sources of income for nations. The proper utilisation of these areas has made serious contributions to national revenues. The Netherlands is one of the world’s most prominent examples in this field. Generating a significant portion of its annual revenue from agriculture, the Netherlands ranks among the most advanced countries globally in the cultivation and management of agricultural land. It has clearly demonstrated that the most important investment made in agricultural land is protecting existing arable land and creating new agricultural zones. The advanced agricultural techniques seen in the Dutch model have offered highly significant alternatives for the efficient use of agricultural land.
Consumer frenzy, urbanisation, dense construction, and shifting human psychology and behaviour indicate that the interest in natural production and organic lifestyles will continue to rise. In this context, the most important investment to be made is the investment in nature and the land. Just as the land is the primary source of life, it is also one of the most sound investment vehicles available. In an environment where what is natural is so expensive and precious, it is evident that the most natural resource, the land, is highly valuable and will continue to appreciate day by day.
We can easily observe this through its numerical equivalents. To meet the needs of the metropolises in the Marmara region, whose populations reach into the millions, we can see a substantial increase in interest regarding agricultural lands established in this zone. In this region, agricultural lands achieve value appreciations reaching up to 100% on an annual basis. Circumstances such as the pandemic and earthquakes multiply these increases even further.
With advancing technology, agricultural lands are being utilised beyond their traditional structures and are gaining even more value. For instance, areas that are normally 100 square metres and capable of producing based on this square footage can yield significantly higher outputs through new techniques.
Alongside these techniques, certain special crops that are difficult to produce are also commanding higher prices. Agricultural lands containing crops that can only grow in specific climate zones, such as walnuts, almonds, mandarins, and olives, are appreciating even further. These agricultural lands often appear in listings under these specific headings, and with the development of agricultural techniques, their production and maintenance are becoming easier.
Capital owners considering long-term investments, in particular, are investing in agricultural lands and can generate highly substantial income. These acquisitions do not remain mere investments; property owners can personally become a part of the production process here.
