Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Ibrahim Yumaklı, provided an assessment regarding the developments in the agricultural sector this year and the expectations for the year 2024.
Minister Yumaklı indicated their aim to initiate production planning for the upcoming year, stating, 'In production planning, cereals and oilseeds will be our main components.'
Yumaklı emphasized that this year they have taken significant steps towards planning the future of agriculture, stating that the arrangements put in place are necessary for addressing issues affecting agriculture globally, particularly climate change.
Minister Yumaklı highlighted that production planning is one of the most significant topics this year, stating, “We underwent a process centered around water and evaluated various factors within the context of production planning. Considering the aspects we refer to as ‘the new normals' with legislative changes, we initiated the process for future production planning. We have also regulated matters related to contract farming, which is one of the key components of production planning.”
Minister Yumaklı recalled the changes made to the Farmer Registration System, indicating that this would enable keeping records of the production within the system.
Yumaklı announced the initiation of the agricultural census process, expressing plans to complete the work by the end of 2026.
Yumaklı reminded that the National Water Council was constituted within the year, announcing they would put forth a national form of governance concerning water.
Endeavors in the earthquake-stricken region
Yumaklı mentioned that the efforts towards restructuring agricultural supports have reached their conclusion, stating, ‘By the year's end, we will have provided approximately 64 billion Turkish liras in support to our farmers’.
Highlighting the success in responding to forest fires, Minister Yumaklı mentioned they organized a workshop engaging experts from the sector to discuss next year's plans regarding forest fires.
Minister Yumaklı recalled that they commenced efforts to address the needs of the producers immediately after the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, and went on to say:
“Approximately 16 thousand tons of forage were provided to our producers in the region. Tents were provided for animal care. Diesel and fertilizer supports were deposited into the accounts of producers in the earthquake zone. Additionally, the local farmers who suffered the loss of their livestock were handed out over 43 thousand small livestock, nearly 550 thousand poultry, and approximately 26 thousand beehives. Nearly 5,800 heads of cattle will also be delivered to the farmers. Our provincial and district directorates continue their efforts for crop production as well.”
"Agricultural supports to play a pioneering role"
Yumaklı drew attention to the steps they plan to take in the agricultural sector next year, stating the following:
"This year, we began establishing the infrastructure for production planning, aiming to implement it in 2024. A training process is ongoing on the matter on a busy schedule. Initiating this process in a country with a broad spectrum of production is challenging. Cereals and oilseeds will be the main components of our production planning. We also intend to include products of significant importance for domestic consumption into our production planning.”
Yumaklı emphasized the integral role of supports in production planning, stating, "Agricultural supports must assume a pioneering role. Particularly in aquaculture and animal production, support-related arrangements have been completed, and final stages have been reached in crop production. Once the cited arrangements are put into practice, a beneficial process will commence for both producers and consumers. Approximately 91 billion Turkish liras of support will be provided to producers next year."
