Producers in Niğde in revolt: Potatoes rotting in storage

Meeting with potato producers in the village of Ağcaşar in Niğde, CHP Niğde Deputy Ömer Fethi Gürer once again highlighted the deep crisis in the agricultural sector. Stating that potatoes, which are sold at exorbitant prices in metropolitan cities, cannot find buyers for even 3 liras at the production center, Gürer stated that approximately 200 thousand tons of potatoes have been left to rot in storage.

COSTS HAVE INCREASED 5-FOLD, FARMERS ARE SUFFERING HEAVY LOSSES

Producer Mustafa Işık explained their grievances by emphasizing that the fertilizer they bought for 4 liras two years ago has risen to 22 liras this year. Işık said, "I was very good at my own business, but I went bankrupt during this process. 200 tons of my potatoes went to waste. The storage cost alone amounted to 2 million liras; I have reached a point where I cannot even pay my electricity bill."

23 MILLION TONS OF FOOD WASTED ANNUALLY IN TURKEY

CHP's Gürer pointed out that 23 million tons of food are wasted annually across Turkey and called out, "Potatoes are a strategic product that can be used in every field. However, while there is nearly 1 million tons of production in Niğde, the products are becoming animal feed or are being thrown into the street. The TMO (Turkish Grain Board) and Agricultural Credit Cooperatives must urgently intervene to purchase this product and distribute it to those in need."

PRODUCER DISILLUSIONED WITH THE LAND: I WILL WORK AS A LABORER

Another producer, stating that they no longer want to farm, summarized the lack of support in agriculture with the words, "I will not plant anything this year, I will work as a laborer. It seems that farmers will no longer plant potatoes when they suffer such losses. Most have turned to corn. We produce, but no one looks, no one hears our voice."