Cereal support premiums were insufficient

The agricultural aid that will be granted this year was determined by the presidential decision published in the Official Gazette in September.

The General Support Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture began depositing support premiums for cereals into farmers’ accounts. AKP MP Şahin Tin announced that a total of 130 million lira support was provided to 29,576 grain farmers in Denizli.

However, producers argued that the support was insufficient in the face of rising input costs and inflation.

SUPPORT OF 149 TL IS GIVEN BY DECARE

This year, the Ministry has set diesel support for barley, wheat, rye, oats and triticale fodder products at 103 lira per decare and fertilizer support at 46 lira per decare. Producers received a total of 149 lira in aid for cereal products received during the October period.

Chairman of the Denizli Central Chamber of Agriculture Hamdi Gemici said; “In the face of inflation, there is very little support left. The price of the grain crop is below last year’s price… The price of wheat dropped to 4 liras and 75 kuruş. The price of corn grain was announced at about 6 lira, but it could be sold for 5 lira and 25 kuruş. “Compared to this, the support was very weak,” he said.

‘THE PRICE OF FERTILIZER INCREASED 3 THOUSAND LIRAS IN 2 MONTHS’

Gemici noted that there has been a rapid increase, especially in fertilizer prices, and said: “The price of fertilizers has increased by around 3 thousand lira per ton in the last two months. The price of a bag, which was 650 lira, increased to 700 lira. Excessive increases in production costs and low product prices negatively affect farmers. “Although support premiums appear to have increased, they are not enough to close the gap due to inflation,” he said.

‘SUPPORTS ARE DEPOSITED ON THE CARD’

Marinero stated that the support must be given in cash and said:

“The supports are only loaded onto valid cards at contracted institutions. The same method was followed last year. This card must be used to purchase diesel and fertilizers with support for the producer…

While it is possible to buy fertilizers and diesel at more affordable prices, farmers become dependent on this practice. It will not bring any benefit to the manufacturer who has already supplied it. The manufacturer would withdraw cash and meet its needs from whatever group of distributors it wanted. Now you are forced to hire institutions, there is no possibility of subcontracting.”