Could not open vegetable market in Hatay, lettuce and turnip were left in the field

Farmers in Hatay, who sowed their fields with high hopes, are going through a difficult time due to the losses they experienced after the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6 and the situations that negatively affected production.

In Hatay, which was severely injured in the earthquakes, some farmers lost their lives, and some lost their families and homes. Some farmers, who were injured by the rubble or worried after the earthquake, left the city.

The farmers who stayed in the city could not go out to their fields for days, could not irrigate their fields due to power outages, and could not sell their products such as lettuce and turnips, which were at harvest time. Farmers, unable to reach the fertilizer, also have a hard time finding workers.

Selda Akkaya, one of the women farmers who continue to farm on Hatay’s fertile land, said they managed to get by despite rising input costs before the quake.

Source: AA

‘THERE IS NO PLACE TO GET FERTILIZERS, MEDICINES, EVERYWHERE HAS BEEN DESTROYED’

Stating that there are products such as lettuce, zucchini and brinjal in the field, Akkaya stated that they were unable to plant peppers despite the difficulties and uncertainties that they experienced after the earthquake. Akkaya said:

“We don’t know what will happen because of the earthquake. We are in uncertainty. We don’t know if we will be able to sell it or what will happen. When we couldn’t sell my turnip, we had to plow the field. Same with lettuce. We couldn’t sell our produce because the vegetable market couldn’t open. If we can’t sell it in a few days, we’ll have to drive it too. This year we will plant tomatoes, we will plant melons. We have potatoes, but I don’t know what will happen.”

Emphasizing that they need fertilizer and spraying for production, Akkaya said, “Because there is no place to buy fertilizer and pesticide, everything has been destroyed. Everything is ruined, backwards.” saying.

Explaining that they sell their harvested produce at the vegetable market, Akkaya stated that the market was unable to function after the earthquake and its activities stopped.

Source: AA

‘BUY OUR PRODUCTS’ CALL SURROUNDING PROVINCES

Selda Akkaya, who appealed to surrounding provinces for support, said: “I am calling Gaziantep, Adana. Nearby provinces can help and buy the products here. Let them help us.” saying.

Pointing out that they have difficulties in agriculture, Akkaya said:

“We need fertilizers, medicines, financial support. We can’t find workers either, it’s a big problem. Currently, the Syrians are working. There’s no one of us left, they’re all gone. Most of the seedlings left and did not plant. We can’t leave. Where will we go? We also have no plans for the rest of the year. We let everything take its course. I don’t know what will happen. We have about 20 acres of strawberries. It is being pruned, it will grow up to 20 days. If the necessary care is taken, at least 50 tons of strawberries will come out. I don’t know what to do with this strawberry. I want you to help. Let them buy these strawberries and vegetables that we grow, so we don’t have to. Let’s keep producing, let’s develop this city”.

Expressing that her children are also out of school, Akkaya said that they have 3 daughters and are continuing their lives in tents after the earthquake.

The Turgay and Selda Akkaya couple are also trying to continue production on the fertile lands of the city. (AA)