100% Fuel and Fertilizer Support for Farmers Meeting Production Constraints
Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı held a press conference on “A New Era in Agriculture: Production Planning and New Support Model.” He highlighted various factors threatening agricultural production, including climate change, population growth, natural disasters, migration, food nationalism, and geopolitical risks. He emphasized the risks posed by decreasing and polluted soil and water resources, stating that the ministry aims to address these issues with sustainable and high-quality production methods.
Yumaklı announced that plant production planning was implemented in September and that animal production and aquaculture initiatives would start on January 1. He reported that Turkey’s agricultural output amounts to $68.5 billion, making it the leading country in Europe and among the top ten globally.
Emphasizing the importance of water, Yumaklı noted that Turkey is a country experiencing water stress. He mentioned that the per capita water amount stands at 1,313 cubic meters, with a risk of dropping below 1,000 cubic meters by 2030. To prevent this, he underscored the need for effective water management.
The minister stated that efforts are underway to simplify agricultural support programs. He stressed the need for agricultural loans focused on production planning. He highlighted the impact of agricultural support, pointing out that they provided 165 types of support in previous periods, with agricultural production at 129 million tons in 2022 and 137 million tons in 2023.
Yumaklı stated that Turkey has 24 million hectares of arable land, with 3.8 million hectares allocated for perennial crops. He identified 13 strategic products, indicating that these are grown on 15.6 million of the 20.2 million hectares dedicated to them, which are crucial for food security and nutrition for both humans and animals.
He projected increases in crop production by 13% for cereals, 17% for legumes, and 22% for oilseeds by 2027. He outlined the new support model, which will announce support prior to production and remain effective for three years. Moreover, additional planning support will be provided for strategic products.
Yumaklı declared that they would not provide support for incorrect crops, and support for farmers would be directed toward products involved in phased production in water-stressed areas. He noted that diesel and fertilizer support for farmers has increased, with the application transitioning to cash payments.
Concerning food prices, Yumaklı stated that legal regulations have been enacted, and they are collaborating with the Ministry of Trade on this matter. He mentioned that products such as sugar beet, hazelnuts, and tea were not included in production planning and acknowledged issues related to raw milk procurement, with necessary investigations initiated.
Source: Tarım Haberleri
John Peterson graduated with a degree in Agricultural Sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. His specialization is in sustainable crop production and soil health management. John is passionate about integrating modern technology with traditional farming methods to enhance productivity while preserving the environment. He currently works as a consultant, helping farmers adopt sustainable practices.