Saadet Party Konya Deputy and Youth Branch Chairman Abdulkadir Karaduman brought the 400,000 tons of sugar import, which the government will make for the first time in 20 years, to the agenda of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
Karaduman, who submitted a parliamentary question to the Presidency of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey with the request of the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Vahit Kirişci, reminded that Turkey meets its own needs by producing many agricultural products,
However, import-based agricultural policies implemented in the last few decades have changed this situation in our country. Our agricultural imports in 2021 increased by 22.17 percent compared to the previous year and reached 17 billion 180 million dollars.
“WE WILL FEEL THE FOOD CRISIS MORE STRONG”
Karaduman pointed out that the farmer was moving away from agriculture and said:
"While the problems in the sugar law and the agricultural policies implemented keep the farmers away from production, they condemn the country to import. In the long run, this will result in more price increases and food inflation. While the world is talking about a food crisis, while countries, especially pulses and grains, ban exports, our government's use of imports at every opportunity, instead of measures and practices, will cause us to feel the most severe food crisis."
“Will there be a study on the expropriation of sugar factories?”
Karaduman asked the following questions to the Minister of Agriculture, Vahit Kirişci:
What is the area where sugar beet is cultivated in our country?
How many farmers are planting?
According to Türk Şeker, while our annual need is stated as 2.7 million tons, why hasn't the production planning for the 2021-2022 period been made for this?
What is the reason for the 20% decrease in production compared to the previous period?
It is stated that Turkey has 600 thousand tons of sugar, including its safety stock. What is the reason for this increase in sugar need in our country?
It is stated that the privatized factories do not release the goods to the market, but sell them to wholesalers and stockpile. What are your measures and practices towards this?
How much is the import from the period 2001/2002 to the present?
How much of this import was made for domestic needs and how much for export?
What are your efforts to increase production and efficiency in the last 5 years?
What are the results?
After the privatizations, there were exorbitant increases in sugar prices, there was a shortage of sugar in the market, and tradesmen and consumers were victims. Do you have any work on the expropriation of sugar factories?