Turkish family farms are transforming traditional tractors with XAG APC2 autopilot technology, enhancing efficiency, precision, and sustainability in agriculture.
 |
| With the XAG APC2, Turkish farmers are converting aging tractors into autonomous machines, cutting fuel use and improving crop yields amid rising economic pressure. Image: Supplied |
GÖNEN, Turkey — June 6, 2025:
Turkish agriculture is undergoing a quiet revolution as family-run farms embrace cutting-edge automation to stay afloat amid labor shortages and rising costs. Central to this transformation is the XAG APC2 AutoPilot Console, a compact yet powerful system that turns even decades-old tractors into intelligent, autonomous machines.
In the rice-farming hub of Gönen, 24-year-old Numan Korkmaz and his family cultivate over 140 hectares. Like many Turkish farmers, they face mounting pressure from inflation—37.86% as of April 2025, according to TÜİK—and the dwindling availability of manual labor. Numan's response? Upgrade, not replace.
Leaning on the strength of his trusted Tümosan tractor, Numan installed the XAG APC2, unlocking centimeter-level precision steering powered by RTK-based positioning and IMU terrain compensation sensors. "Manual farming is exhausting and error-prone," he says. "Now I can cover more land, save fuel, and avoid overlapping or wasted input."
Tasks such as sowing, fertilizer spreading, and harrowing are now handled more efficiently. Using the AB straight-line function, Numan can operate with improved accuracy even during night shifts or across uneven ground. “It’s faster, easier, and more practical,” he adds.
The APC2’s appeal lies not only in its precision but its accessibility. Its all-in-one waterproof unit connects seamlessly with a smartphone app, eliminating the need for bulky consoles or complex setups. "If you can use an Android phone, you can operate this system," says Numan, highlighting the generational shift it supports.
The numbers speak volumes. Numan reports covering 9 hectares daily using just 30 liters of diesel, compared to significantly higher consumption before automation. Such savings are increasingly crucial for Turkey’s 1.5 million-strong tractor fleet, the largest in Europe, most of which are in the hands of small and medium-sized farms.
Academic studies in Turkey have shown that GNSS-guided farming can reduce input use and overlap by 6–10%. With RTK accuracy, farmers like Numan are already outperforming those benchmarks, turning traditional tractors into smart, efficient field partners.
As more young people return to agriculture, digital tools like the XAG APC2 are leveling the playing field, ensuring that smallholders can remain competitive and productive. For many, it’s not just about staying up to date—it’s about securing the future of Turkish agriculture.
With policy support growing and innovation gaining ground in places like Gönen, Turkey is rapidly positioning itself at the frontier of smart farming in Europe—one autonomous tractor at a time.