Frost disaster alarm in agriculture: CHP's 'farmer' call to the government

CHP Deputy Chairman Erhan Adem, in his statement regarding the aftermath of the frost disaster, stated that a comprehensive support package must be announced immediately to avoid losing producers who have suffered damages. Adem said, "The agricultural sector is not only the livelihood of farmers but also the table of 85 million people. If the producer disconnects from production, the consumer cannot access food. What we are experiencing today is the clearest example of this."

Erhan noted the following:

"The losses of our producers who could not take out agricultural insurance or who remained outside the scope must be documented through impartial Damage Assessment Commissions that must be established immediately in provinces and districts. You cannot punish the producer just because they did not take out insurance. This is a disaster, not human error! Some of our regions, especially those heavily affected by the frost disaster, must be declared 'disaster areas' immediately. This is mandatory to give the producer a breath of air and to ensure they get back on their feet. Without naming the disaster, solutions cannot be produced.

'WE HAVE SEEN IT WITH REGRET ONCE AGAIN'

Loan debts to Ziraat Bank, Agricultural Credit Cooperatives, and private banks; social security premium debts and electricity debts must be deferred interest-free. For these producers to survive, this is no longer a favor, but a necessity. Frost, floods, hail, and drought are no longer exceptions in this country's agricultural calendar; they have become routine. Despite this, still thinking 'what will we do' with every disaster is a sign of helplessness. The government does not have an effective, preventive, and producer-prioritizing agricultural policy against disasters. We have seen this with regret once again.

Every measure not taken today will be met with bankruptcy for the producer and price hikes for the consumer tomorrow. The rise in food inflation and the fact that fruits and vegetables can no longer enter the tables of low-income earners is a problem for all of us. If this fire is not intervened in now, we will all burn together soon.

'MUST BE DECLARED A DISASTER AREA'

It is time to abandon statements that only save the day and superficial visits. The effects of the frost disaster will deepen not only today but also in the coming months. As the CHP, we reiterate our call for the heavily damaged regions to be declared disaster areas and for the producers' debts to be deferred interest-free. We will continue our struggle until comprehensive, planned, and permanent solutions that will keep agriculture alive are produced."

News Source: 12punto