Hobby garden debate grows in AKP: 'There is a serious crisis behind the scenes'

The "hobby garden" debate has reignited in AKP corridors. Nefes newspaper columnist Nuray Babacan brought the discussions regarding the regulations that have recently come back onto the agenda to her column.

Babacan stated, "Although Osman Gökçek's words, 'We will lose votes. People are getting some fresh air with their children on the weekends. There is a lot of backlash,' are being discussed, there is a serious crisis behind the scenes. That part has never been talked about."

REGIONS AT THE CENTER OF THE DEBATE

In her article, Babacan drew attention to the areas where hobby gardens are concentrated. She noted that agricultural lands around cities, especially in Ankara, stand out. She reported that similar construction is also seen in places with high economic value, such as the Biga district of Çanakkale and the Kemalpaşa region of İzmir, as well as in provinces like Edirne, Tekirdağ, and Kırklareli. She also stated that Bodrum and its surroundings are being evaluated within this scope.

Babacan wrote, "Ankara comes first. On agricultural lands close to the city. On agricultural lands in Edirne, Tekirdağ, and Kırklareli. In places with commercial value like Çanakkale Biga and İzmir Kemalpaşa. In Bodrum and its surroundings... Just looking at the regions, it is understood that the goal is not 'to set up a hobby garden to grow tomatoes.' These areas, close to city centers and holiday destinations, are being turned into profitable rent-seeking areas over time."

THE OUTBURST AT THE MKYK MEETING

Reminding that Osman Gökçek's words, "We will lose votes. People are getting some fresh air with their children on the weekends. There is a lot of backlash," came up at the AKP MKYK meeting, Babacan assessed, "There is a serious crisis behind the scenes. That part has never been talked about."

EMPHASIS ON "FOOD SECURITY"

Babacan reported that some MKYK members who took the floor at the same meeting expressed that the regulation should be supported. It was stated that these views drew attention to the importance of food security and the protection of agricultural lands due to the impact of global developments such as the climate crisis and war.

Babacan wrote, "It is known that some MKYK members who took the floor at the same meeting said that this law should be upheld, and that it is very important in terms of food security and the protection of arable land in this period when the climate crisis and war are taking place. It is said that those who spoke made assessments such as, 'We must stop this situation, which means the destruction of agricultural land, as soon as possible. This is not a situation that can be forgiven. We must solve it immediately. This will bring vital problems in terms of food supply in the future.'"