THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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Press release…
Orhan Sarıbal, Republican People’s Party (CHP) Bursa Deputy and Chief Advisor to CHP Agricultural Policies and Agricultural Organizations, said at a press conference held at the Turkish Grand National Assembly for October 7, World Cotton Day, that cotton production in Turkey has decreased due to the wrong agricultural policies.
Noting that the amount of subsidy support for cotton, which is given importance as “White gold” in Turkey and the harvest has started, Sarıbal said, “80 kurush (kuruş) subsidy has been paid in cotton for 3 years. This must be raised to the level of at least 1 lira and 50 kurush.”
Sarbal said the following:
“In order to increase the recognition of cotton, to strengthen the relationship and cooperation between producers, industrialists and other parties, to ensure more research and development on cotton and to encourage technological developments related to cotton, 7 October has started to be celebrated as World Cotton Day.”
Sarıbal explained, “Cotton is also a very important crop for our country. It is known as ‘White gold’ among the people. However, cotton has also had its share from the wrong agricultural policies implemented in recent years. Due to the lack of support from the producer, cotton plantations and production are falling rapidly each year. This deficit is trying to be closed with imports. We have come to the position of importing as much cotton as we produce.”
Pointing out that cotton harvest has begun, but the subsidy uncertainty continues, Sarıbal added, “Producers are expecting 1.5 TL per kilo this year for the subsidy support that has been applied as 80 kurush for the last three years. However, there was no statement from the government on this issue so far.”
