Özel: The problem is with the government, the government must be changed: Election call at the Pistachio Rally

Addressing pistachio prices, pistachio procurement, and the problems faced by pistachio producers, Özel said, “We will make the producer's voice heard throughout Turkey. This government no longer has anything to offer this country.

The solution to the citizen's troubles is to change this government. I want to address our producers and our citizens. Do not be sad, there is surely a solution. And that solution is the Republican People's Party (CHP). The producer, the farmer, and the citizen are in a difficult situation. The reaction of the producers, farmers, and citizens is not a political reaction, but a conscientious one," he said.

Speaking at the rally about the tea, hazelnut, and bean rallies he held in cities such as Rize, Giresun, and Burdur, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel made assessments regarding prices at the Pistachio Rally they held in Gaziantep, stating, "The problem is not in the system, the problem is with the government. The government must be changed."

LISTED THE PROBLEMS OF ANTEP PISTACHIO PRODUCERS

Stating that 12 percent of the world's pistachio production takes place in and around Gaziantep, Özgür Özel said, "Today, an uncle of ours complained in his pistachio field. The farmer wants to earn from the product he has labored over for about 20 years, but today there are those who have their eyes on the farmer's labor. I met with the chamber officials regarding pistachios. Last year, raw pistachios were 110 liras. The pistachio is here, the pistachio producer is here, everyone concerned is here.

Since last year, the costs of side products such as irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticides have increased two or three times. But why is this main staple of Gaziantep's livelihood 110 liras last year and 90 liras this year? This cannot be explained by reason or conscience. I am calling out from here. Stop protecting a handful of merchants. The Republican People's Party is by the side of the pistachio producer like an ant.

The farmer will experience every hardship, but someone else will earn the money. There is no such looting. Shame on this system. The Minister of Agriculture should stop making nonsensical phone calls. He should protect the farmer's labor. They do not hear the voice of the laborer, the poor, the needy. We hear your voice. We will not leave you alone. The Republican People's Party is by the side of the farmer and the laborer. The Republican People's Party is the party that sees the problem if there is one and knows the solution," he said.

ÖZEL'S CALL TO 'BUY ANTEP PISTACHIOS'

Calling for the TMO (Turkish Grain Board) to purchase pistachios, Özel said, "Just as the Turkish Grain Board buys various products in various provinces of Turkey, it will also buy Antep pistachios in this region, in Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Kilis, and Siirt. It is our duty not to feed our farmers to the wolves, but to make them the main actors of this market. Temperatures have risen, and irrigation has become a necessity. It is necessary to work on this issue and find solutions," he said.

"THERE IS A SOLUTION TO THIS TOO, AND THAT IS THE REPUBLICAN PEOPLE'S PARTY"

Touching on the problems of other farmers in the city, Özel said, "The farmer cannot be ignored, the problems of the farmers cannot be disregarded. They say the farmers have no problems. I am warning Erdoğan and Bahçeli and other leaders from here. I will not follow your fake agendas and leave the Antep pistachio producers alone. Our concern is the laborer; the tea grower in Rize, the hazelnut grower in Giresun, the pistachio grower in Antep. We are by the side of our producers. We have no path to walk, no topic to discuss, and no constitutional agenda with those who exploit the laborer. Our path is you, the Antep pistachio producers, the laborers. The Republican People's Party says, 'Do not be sad, do not lose hope. There is a solution to this too. And that is the Republican People's Party'. We are by your side," he said.

THANKS FOR THE LOCAL ELECTIONS

In his speech, Özel also made assessments regarding the past local elections, emphasizing that they increased the number of municipalities they hold in Gaziantep to 3, and thanked the people of Gaziantep in the area. In his speech, Özel promised that they would work very hard to win more municipalities, including the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, in the next election.

News Source: İHA