The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli, stated that together with all stakeholders, primarily the producers, they shall continuously work for growing of the agriculture sector and continued as follows: "Our agricultural production and revenues will reach higher levels in the upcoming period with the efforts we will make."
Pakdemirli, attended 68th Harvesting Ceremony held in Polatlı Farm and drove a combine harvester.
Speaking at the ceremony, Pakdemirli expressed that decision taking and implementation would be accelerated thanks to the Presidential Governing System enacted on June 24 elections.
Pointing out that the running of bureaucracy, preparation and updating of regulations will become faster when compared to the old system Pakdemirli expressed that "Quick solutions will be found for the problems and quick movement capability will be provided. As the first Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of the new system I am living the proud to be here with you in Polatlı 68th Harvesting Ceremony".
Underlining that the harvesting is a ceremony where the fertility of soil, sun and water are coming together, Pakdemirli continued as follows: "The harvest is the collection of a yearly effort and waiting. Wheat and harvest are the codes of our culture. With the harvest, we are picking up the products that the soil gives us at the end of a season passed with patience and effort".
Pakdemirli stated that the farmers are now getting the return of an effort for one year and the harvest is now completed at a rate of 80 percent all around the country.
Pakdemirli expressed that they are expecting a yield of 35 million 815 thousand tons in grain, 1 million 187 thousand tons in legume, 24, 8 million tons in tuber crops like potato, sugar beet, 2,5 million tons in oil crops and continued as follows:
"These products which are produced by our farmers with their bare hands and efforts will now reach our tables. We are grateful to all our producers who produce these goods vital for our survival. Our ministry is closely following all product markets, primarily the grains".
Pakdemirli stated that Turkish Grain Board (TMO) purchased 1 million 700 thousand tons in the form of Electronic Bonds, 50 percent of which are from the licensed warehouses and expressed that the purchase is going on and 1,4 billion liras have been paid to the producers.
Pakdemirli indicated that production and harvest are not enough and the storage is also of great importance and storing activities will be provided with licensed warehouses.
Pakdemirli also told that 53 licensed warehouses in Turkey is now working with a total capacity of 2,4 million tons and new warehouses with a capacity of 4.2 million tons are under construction on locations determined by TMO.
Pakdemirli stated that the estimated cost of these warehouses is 1,5 billion liras and all are being constructed by private sector.
Expressing that they are providing significant support in every field in order to develop the agriculture sector and improve the production and increase the revenues of producers, Pakdemirli spoke as follows:
"We have realized many reforms and projects in agriculture. Agriculture sector has grown in 12 of the last 15 years and reached the most stabile period of the last half century. Our country is exporting flour and bakery products and contributing to the GDP of our country. Actually, we were the 11th in wheat flour export in 2002 but now we are the first since 2005. We are the second of the world in pasta export. This year we are expecting a slight decrease in wheat due to weather conditions. But this decrease will not affect our sufficiency in wheat production. Our sufficiency in wheat is around 104%. Together with all stakeholders, primarily the producers, our ministry shall continuously work for growing of the agriculture sector. Our agricultural production and revenues will reach higher levels in the upcoming period with the efforts we will make."
Referring to the significance of agriculture for the survival of the mankind, Pakdemirli stated that the agriculture is an activity with no alternatives.
Pakdemirli highlighted that the agriculture sector today is a vital and a commercial business and has become a source of power in the international arena and continued as follows: "The importance of agriculture will increase more in the following years. Thus, we will protect our soil at all costs. Because soil is not an endless resource. We should keep in mind that we are dependent on the soil. "
Stating that the construction of accumulation sites like dams and ponds is a must in Turkey, Pakdemirli indicated that there 513 dams under construction and with the completion of these, our country will reach the 5th rank in the world in terms of number of dams.
Pakdemirli stated that new initiatives will be made in agriculture and forestry in the upcoming period and added that:
"As a country we will work more and more in line with our 2023, 2053, 2071 targets and contribute to the ramping up of our country with new projects. Hopefully, in this new period we will protect our producers, our farmers but also our consumers against food inflation and thus bring Turkish agriculture to higher levels. Our target is to bring the sector to higher points. Our people are working, producing, and sweating blood under the sun. Our stated has given 105 billion subsidies in the last 15 years and is always side by side with them in planting, harvesting, hail, snow, rain. If we stand still as the spikes and become brothers as the grains of wheat, there will be fertility everywhere. Better days are waiting our country, farmers and our sector. I wish a good harvest."
Following the technological developments in agriculture
The General Director of Agricultural Enterprises (TİGEM) İsmail Şanlı, stated that the organization is producing grains amounting 20 billion liras and thus satisfying the 25 percent of the total seed demand of the country.
Şanlı continued as follows: "TİGEM has undertaken many missions like betterment of the livestock assets of our country, procurement of high-quality certified seeds for the producers, following of the technological developments in agriculture, implementing new production areas and preserving of plant and animal genetic resources".
Şanlı also expressed that TİGEM is an important partner of the studies carried out in many areas and added that following of the science and technology and acquiring this know how are significant in agriculture as in every branch.
"Agriculture comes first among the indispensable economic activities of Turkey"
Ankara Governor Ercan Topaca wished that the Harvesting Ceremony brings welfare for the country and farmers.
Topaca stated that the agriculture is coming first among the indispensable economic activities of Turkey and reminded a majority of the citizens are earning their incomes from the agriculture.
Topaca pointed out that food and agriculture has become an important area in future plans of all countries and continued as follows: "Especially providing of food security and production are strategically becoming more and more important. All states are implementing many policies for improving and increasing their agricultural production".
Reminding the serious activities which are being carried out in order to support the farmers and increase the production in Turkey, Topaca stated that the agricultural activities are importing for Turkey to be self-sufficient without being dependent on outside.
On the other hand, Pakdemirli released the animal to be sacrificed for the 68th Harvesting Ceremony and had a talk with the farmers.