Felicity (Saadet) Party discussed the problems of farmers in its second congress organized within the scope of “Livelihood Alliance”.
After the "Tradesmen Congress" held last week and followed with great interest by all segments of the society, the "Farmers Congress" held yesterday, the problems experienced in the agriculture and livestock sector and the problems of the producers were heard.
Representatives of agricultural unions and journalists followed in the field of agriculture attended the congress, which was attended by more than a thousand farmers from 81 provinces of Turkey.
Saadet Party General Chairman Temel Karamollaoğlu, who opened the congress, noted that agriculture is the number one sector for countries, "Because agriculture is the most important element of our life. As farmers, you provide this. Therefore, the agricultural sector is the most strategic sector. It comes before going into space," he said.
After the "Tradesmen Congress", which was held last week and followed with great interest by all segments of the society, the "Farmers Congress" held yesterday, the problems experienced in the agriculture and livestock sector and the problems of the producers were heard. Representatives of agricultural unions and journalists followed in the field of agriculture attended the congress, which was attended by more than a thousand farmers from 81 provinces of Turkey.
“FARMERS ARE LEFT ALONE”
Karamollaoğlu stated that the farmer was left unattended while fulfilling their duties, "In 2006, it was enacted to give support to farmers at the rate of 1 percent of the budget. However, those who made this law did not comply with this law for any year. Last year, 41 billion TL support should have been given to the farmer, but half of this was given. This situation condemns the farmer to the banks. We need a change of mindset. The rulers of the country are unable to put themselves in the farmer's shoes and deal with the farmer's problems. The farmer should be able to live in a way that he can easily earn his income through his work. If this is not approached and the farmer cannot sustain his life, the support and incentives will be meaningless," he said.
“ZIRAAT BANK SHOULD RETURN TO ITS FUNDAMENTAL DUTY”
Karamollaoğlu, who also criticizes the current understanding of Ziraat Bank, which was opened for easy access of the farmers to loans, "Ziraat Bank started to see the farmer as people who provide income to itself like other people in business. That's why it's trying to support agriculture with market rates. That doesn't happen. Ziraat Bank should return to its original duty and give interest-free loans to the farmer. But today it is dealing with other issues. Such a thing is unacceptable," he added.
DR. TALAT SENTÜRK: "HEIGHT OF PRODUCTION COSTS IS THE HEAD OF THE PROBLEM"
After Karamollaoğlu's speech, NGOs and experts in the field took the floor.
Advisor to the President of the Chambers of Agriculture of Turkey Dr. Talat Şentürk stated that the problems experienced should be solved in order to make our country's agricultural sector able to compete with the world countries and listed the problems as follows:
"One of the biggest problems for manufacturers is the high costs. Later, the lack of financing used in agriculture and the misuse of agricultural lands and pastures. Growth of migration from rural to urban and the average age of the people engaged in farming. Failure to expand agricultural insurance. Incomplete completion of irrigation investments. Problems in contract manufacturing. Water and soil pollution. In recent years, drought has come to the fore due to climate change."