Producers in distress: Frost threatens harvest
Agricultural frost and the brown marmorated stink bug in Giresun are worrying hazelnut producers. Producers state that they remain in uncertainty despite damage assessments. Industry representatives emphasize that the government must announce an urgent solution plan.
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Giresun Chamber of Agriculture President Nurittin Karan announced that the agricultural frost event that occurred in April and the brown marmorated stink bug have caused serious losses in hazelnut orchards. Stating that orchards in high-altitude regions were particularly heavily damaged, Karan said that teams from the Agricultural Insurance Pool (TARSİM) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry have been conducting damage assessments in the field. He emphasized that producers in these regions are in a position where they will be unable to obtain any yield.
Karan stated that the harvest estimates made for years do not reflect the real situation in the field, saying, "Some circles announce a harvest of 800-850 thousand tons every year. However, the actual production remains on average 150 thousand tons below these figures. This year, the same circles announced a harvest expectation of 610 thousand tons. Yet, our findings in the field show that the harvest across Turkey will be around 450 thousand tons."
Expressing that the foreign currency revenue provided by hazelnuts to the national economy is in danger, Karan stated that the decline in the harvest this year will negatively affect not only the producer but all industry stakeholders.
'LOSSES MAY GROW EVEN LARGER'
Stating that in addition to the agricultural frost, landslides occurring in some regions have completely destroyed hazelnut groves, Karan said that the remaining production is under the threat of the brown marmorated stink bug. "If an effective fight against this pest is not carried out, the losses may grow even larger. This is not only a problem of today but also of the future. Our producers must definitely turn to fighting it with the pesticides recommended by the Ministry," he added.
Reporting that the appraisal work within the scope of TARSİM has been completed, Karan expressed that the uncertainty regarding support for producers without insurance continues. "The Presidential Decree has still not been published. There is no clarity on who will be given support, how much, and when. The producer is in a state of serious uncertainty," he said.
Karan stated that some producers will not be able to get any product this year, but preparations must be made for the next season. "Applications such as summer fertilization and foliar feeding should not be neglected. Most importantly, do not stop the fight against the brown marmorated stink bug. May and June are critical periods for the producer. The government needs to announce a clear roadmap as soon as possible to resolve the grievances of the producers," he said.