Call to postpone farmers' debts

CHP Malatya Deputy Veli Ağbaba stated that due to the difficulties faced by producers, their debts to Ziraat Bank and Agricultural Credit Cooperatives should be postponed for at least one year without interest. Ağbaba emphasized that otherwise, thousands of producers would face the threat of foreclosure.

In a written statement, Ağbaba expressed that farmers are in a difficult situation due to agricultural frost, drought, and rising costs. Stating that a serious crisis could occur in the agricultural sector if debts are not postponed, Ağbaba said, "We are concerned that the number of farmers unable to pay their loans will increase in the coming months. We are worried that this situation will lead to a change in ownership of agricultural assets or the halting of production cycles, and consequently turn into a major agricultural crisis."

DANGER OF BLOCKED PRODUCER ACCOUNTS

Reminding that payments have not yet been made to producers following the agricultural frost in April, Ağbaba said it was stated that payments would be made in September. However, he expressed that only half of the incurred expenses would be covered and that this is not sufficient. Stating, "There will be no money left for the producer for fertilizer, pesticides, diesel, or maintenance costs for their trees for next year," Ağbaba noted that Ziraat Bank and Agricultural Credit Cooperatives placing blocks on accounts in response to debts would create a major problem. For this reason, he argued that the interest on all farmers' debts should be erased and that they should be postponed for at least one year.