Observations on the Shadow 'Minister of Agriculture'

Before moving on to observations regarding the CHP's Shadow Minister of Agriculture, it is useful to examine the issue of whether the wealthy—or more explicitly, the rich—can represent the poor, based on the foundations of political economy, sociology, and political science.  This situation,

can be evaluated from different perspectives depending on how the concept of "representation" is defined. Why can the rich not represent the poor?

• Their life experiences are different. The rich do not know the daily  struggles of the poor.

This is a fundamental disconnect.  in their lives, such as food, shelter, and health  basic  difficulties in accessing necessities, the fear of debt,  or their lack of security  because they do not experience them.  For instance, can you see them waiting at the doors of public hospitals?

• There is a conflict of interest. The existing capitalist mode of production and relations makes the rich richer and the poor poorer. In this case, wouldn't a rich person defending the interests of the poor conflict with their own economic interests?

• The wealthy are dominant in both local and central decision-making mechanisms. Naturally, the wealthy will produce decisions according to their own interests in these mechanisms. For example, amnesties granted to companies such as debt restructuring, exemption from tax audits, and stock/cash amnesties. This is also natural according to them.

Are there views that argue the wealthy can represent the poor?

Of course there are. It is up to you to believe them.

Some say; "the wealthy can defend the rights of the poor regardless of class differences by practicing empathy." they say. "Representation power may be more related to moral values and intentions than  economic status." those who say this also  exist.

Some say;"There can be wealthy politicians in politics who defend the rights of the impoverished masses."they say.

Some;"it is possible for the wealthy to look after the poor through charity, aid  or fair distribution policies"  they claim. They do not state that this is a tool for reducing social tensions in society.

Who are they?By emphasizing that 'the poor have a right to the wealth of the rich,' for example, through foundations  or aid institutions, a bridge can be built between the poor and the rich.they say.

How appropriate is it for Sencer Solakoğlu (SS) to be the Chairman of the CHP's Agriculture and Forestry Policy Board?

• SS produces meat and milk at the Feyz Farm in Karacabey, Bursa, which he owns, with 1,600 dairy cattle and a total of 3,623 head of cattle on 6,250 decares of agricultural land. 

And what is the reality of Turkey?

The average size of agricultural enterprises in Turkey is 60 decares. In this context, the vast majority of cattle breeders consist of small and medium-sized peasant farms. 

According to TUIK data, in the dairy cattle sector, the enterprises operating  83.7 percent have fewer than 20 animals.

• SS practices factory farming, also known as industrial agriculture. The cattle do not live in the open; they are generally kept tied up  in a closed  barn.  Their feed is brought to them. They consume intensive feed. Since they do not graze in pastures, it can be said that the products of dairy cattle (meat, milk, etc.) contain zero levels of nutrients such as omega-3, Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), and Vitamin K, which have countless health benefits and protect against hundreds of diseases, primarily cancer.

• SS grows fodder crops such as wheat and corn on their farm  produces. It is unknown whether it provides all of its roughage  needs within its own operation. Moreover,  for its crop production,  intensive pesticides and chemical fertilizers are used, albeit in a more disciplined manner. 

• SS's operation requires a large amount of water consumption. There is the issue of animal manure being collected in pools called lagoons and potentially leaking into the soil, contaminating groundwater.

• SS has come to the fore with statements criticizing the unrefined nature and low yield of heirloom seeds. However, he has not discussed the  reasons for this. He is unaware of the work on heirloom seeds that our colleague Prof. Dr. Tayfun Özkaya  has now voiced across Turkey. Do these views of SS not contradict the claim that they clash with the CHP's local seed support policies?

“See: https://www.google.com/search?q=chp%27nin+g%C3%B6lge+tar%C4%B1m+bakan%C4%B1+sencer+solako%C4%9Flu%27nun+ata+tohumlar”

• SS has approaches that contradict the realities of Turkey. For example, Solakoğlu's statements accusing hazelnut producers of "spoiledness and laziness"  have drawn a major reaction in the Black Sea Region.

“See: https://www.yenigiresun.net/haber/27027390/findik-ureticilerini-hedef-alan-aciklamalariyla-gundeme-gelen-sencer-solakoglu-chpnin-tarim-ve-orman-politika-kurulu-baskani-oldu

• SS praised animal imports at a meeting of the Central Union of Cattle Breeders of Turkey. He stated that Turkey had achieved success in milk production and that the minister (the then Minister of Food, Agriculture and Livestock Mehdi Eker) was successful   in his role.

”See:

The CHP shadow Minister of Agriculture has been enlightened by Mehdi Eker.
Their understanding of agriculture also seems capitalist. https://t.co/tzH9abk79V

— PROF. DR. KEMAL ÜÇÜNCÜ (@ProfKUcuncu) April 12, 2026

Let us summarize. 

In the system that exists between the rich and the poor,  there is a "class reality." In societies where the capitalist mode of production and relations are increasingly dominant,  At the foundation of socio-economic structures, there are sharp  conflicts of interest between those who own the means of production and those who make a living by selling their labor. In this context, it is inevitable for an individual to defend not only their own economic situation but also the common interests of their class.  In other words, the wealthy cannot understand the daily life experiences and feelings of the poor.

In light of these facts, due to its class structure and  consequently its worldview,  the SS, for our agricultural enterprises,  for the small and medium-sized enterprises based on family labor that make up the vast majority,  to produce solutions to their problems   is out of the question.

We hope that the CHP's appointment of SS as the Shadow Minister of Agriculture  is not a result of the CHP's  preference to prioritize giant agricultural enterprises and industrial agriculture in Turkish agriculture from a political-economic, social, and economic perspective.  is not a result of that preference.