Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes caused destruction in 10 cities of Turkey. Earthquakes, which caused a serious wound in our country, also had devastating results in production and economy.
While efforts are being made to resurrect the earthquake victims and the region, Reis Gıda, one of Turkey's leading food companies, made a press release on the impact of earthquakes on the economy and agricultural production.
In the statement published by Mehmet Reis, Chairman of the Board of Reis Gıda, it was pointed out that the human and social dimensions of the earthquakes would deeply affect the Turkish society for a long time.
Mehmet Reis, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Reis Gıda, who wished good health to Turkey and a speedy recovery to the injured, said in the press statement.
"What we lost will never be replaced. However, our people who experienced the disaster and lost their relatives and homes, workplaces, as well as the security of their jobs and sources of income, need to be rehabilitated. It is necessary to ensure the sustainability of agricultural production in order for the people living in the earthquake region to not be able to provide their own food needs and livelihoods and for the food security of our country," Reis said.
“THE REGION'S SHARE OF AGRICULTURAL INCOME IS ABOUT 15 PERCENT”
Mehmet Reis pointed out that 3.7 million hectares of agricultural land were damaged in the earthquake.
"The number of registered farmers in our cities affected by the earthquake is approximately 270 thousand. These farmers cultivate 16 percent of the agricultural lands in Turkey. When we look at the economic structure of the cities destroyed by the earthquake, it is seen that the priority sector is agriculture and agriculture-based industry and animal husbandry. The contribution of the earthquake zone to the agricultural product is 86 billion TL. Of this, 52 billion TL comes from plant production and 34 billion TL from animal husbandry. In summary, the share of the region in agricultural output is around 15 percent. It is important for our common future and food security to act urgently and quickly to support agriculture and rural development without selling our farmer's land or migrating. It is of great importance for the regional and national economy that industrial facilities and businesses return to their activities as soon as possible. Today more than ever, there is a need for solidarity, and for the future, there is a need to take precautions in the light of science," Reis added.