THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
Related Articles
Yıldıray Gençer, Head of the Sub-Union of the Seed Industrialists and Producers (TSÜAB), said that as seed industrialists, they give great support to local varieties, but warned that if the entire production is carried out with ancestral seeds with low productivity, tomato, which is 50 liras today, could jump to 250 liras!
Organising a press conference before the iftar (Ramadan meal) given by TSÜAB to sector representatives and bureaucrats, Yıldıray Gençer made explanations about the ‘well-known mistakes in the seed sector’ as he called them.
Stating that seed industrialists produce high and efficient seeds through R&D studies, Gençer said that contrary to public opinion, they do not interfere with local varieties. Stating that the Turkish Seed Union (TÜRKTOB), of which he is also a member of the board of directors, has so far added 400 local varieties from all over Türkiye to the gene bank, Yıldıray Gençer said, “Local varieties are products specific to the geography in which they are found. Therefore, the same product cannot be used everywhere in the country, and even if it is used, it will not be efficient.”
Underlining that the uncontrolled distribution of seeds can lead to other dangerous problems, Yıldıray Gençer added, “Using only ancestral (heirloom) seeds in production will lead people to hunger. We already use ancestral seeds as genetic resources. If all production is done with ancestor seeds, we will eat the tomato we buy for 50 liras today for 250 liras.”
