Turkey has ceased to be a self-sufficient country in agriculture and animal husbandry as a result of wrong policies, increasing costs, loss of cultivation areas and insufficient support of farmers.
In the sector, where the trouble is growing day by day, calls for total mobilization from all segments began to be voiced loudly.
Finally, when calling for urgent mobilization from the International Agriculture and Food Confederation (TARIMKON), it was emphasized that famine is at the door if necessary measures are not taken as soon as possible.
FARMERS WITHOUT CAPITAL SAVINGS CANNOT PRODUCE
Hakan Yüksel, President of the International Agriculture and Food Confederation (TARIMKON), stated that a total national mobilization in food and agriculture should be carried out in order to prepare for possible food and water wars that may occur in the near future.
In his written statement, Yüksel emphasized that the agricultural production and logistics chain all over the world is in trouble, and drew attention to the increase in food prices due to the increase in logistics prices.
Expressing that the Russian-Ukrainian war and the peak in oil prices had a negative impact on the agricultural sector, Yüksel noted that farmers who do not have capital savings experience difficulties due to this situation.
EVERY DAY THE DANGER IS GROWING
Stating that rural areas are shrinking and agricultural activities are decreasing day by day, Yüksel said, "All of our ministries, governorships, local governments, non-governmental organizations, universities, industrial organizations, retailing sectors, consumer representatives, all together said, 'This is our problem, it has to be solved. What can I do for this, what can I do with sincerity?' he needs to say."
"It is long past time to address this reality as a national issue. We cannot think otherwise. Now is the time to act, not talk. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry should make a call to all parties by considering the issue as a national issue, away from political concerns and regardless of political party; We should fill the National Agriculture Project together so that our children do not go to bed hungry," he added.
AGRICULTURE WAITS FOR PERFORMANCE, TIME, PATIENCE, STRESS
Pointing out that steps should be taken to solve the problems experienced in the agricultural sector, Yüksel said, "Agriculture is such a sector that it is not enough to just expect the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to do something. Agricultural production is not done with a magic click like the games in your phone apps. Agriculture requires labor, sweat, time, patience and effort. It takes at least 1 year for field crops, 4 years for fruit growing, and 10 years for animal husbandry to see the result of a mistake or a good project made in agriculture today."