Inflation danger in farmer grants: Erhan Adem explains the truth behind the debated 'support' to 12punto

Hikmet Eren Çelenk - 12punto.com.tr

The 'Decision Regarding Supports for Plant Production to be Made in 2025-2027 and Certain Agricultural Supports' published in the Official Gazette has entered into force. Under the heading 'Support for plant production' in the decision, the price to be given per decare was determined, and the absence of fertilizer and diesel support was notable.

Following the decision, which was met with great reaction by farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry issued a statement announcing that fertilizer and diesel support had been included in the scope of 'basic support'. CHP Deputy Chairman responsible for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Erhan Adem, spoke to 12punto regarding the process.

‘SUPPORT TO BE GIVEN IN 2026 IS BEING ANNOUNCED IN 2024’

When we asked Erhan Adem about the decision in the Official Gazette, he stated regarding the supports to be provided: “The farmer is confused. Previously, diesel and fertilizer support was given per decare. They had previously announced it for 2024. The published circular says, 'I am consolidating these supports and will give them as a single price item. Fertilizer and diesel support is included in the 244 liras I give per decare. This support is for the year 2025. The producer will receive the fertilizer and diesel support in 2024, and will receive it as per-decare support in 2025, but the producer will receive this support in 2026.' How can we know how much purchasing power the 244 liras given will have in an inflationary environment?”

‘FAIR DISTRIBUTION MUST BE MADE’

Touching upon the insufficiency of the support given to farmers, Erhan Adem concluded his words as follows:

“The share given to farmers from the GDP is 1 percent. The money given does not meet this share, and it cannot. It is determining the price of the support it will give in 2026 in 2024. What will the purchasing power of the money be in 2026? I expect a correction in the decision and the price. Afterwards, it says that if you do the planting I specified in the places I specified, I will give extra support for that too. However, there is no explanation as to which coefficient or what this support will be determined according to. What will the farmer who does not have an agreement or who has not registered with the agricultural directorates do? If you are doing it on an area basis, you will give from this share to everyone in the area. This money needs to be distributed fairly.”