Livestock farmer in Sivas protests 'Afghan shepherd' situation: 'He demands 30 GB of internet from me'

As finding Turkish shepherds, the backbone of livestock farming, has become almost impossible, the sector has been left to Afghan shepherds.

Fikri Demiray, who lives in the Yassıpınar neighborhood of the Deliilyas town in Sivas's Altınyayla district, stated that everyone is selling their animals due to the shepherd shortage.

THEY WANT 30 GB OF INTERNET

Stating that there are no Turkish shepherds left, Demiray said, “I have 400 sheep. I pay a salary of 30 thousand liras. I take care of everything from his housing and food to his phone bill. He demands 30 GB of internet from me, and I buy that too. Whatever amount of GB he wants, I am forced to buy it. I see no other solution to this situation other than the state stepping in.”

Saying that the shepherd problem has made him tired of livestock farming, Demiray continued, “There are no Turkish shepherds. Afghan shepherds are holding us hostage. If the state helped us and livestock farming continued, meat would be free in Turkey. Because of the shepherd shortage, everyone is now selling their animals. I have now hired a shepherd with a salary of 30 thousand liras. I am paying the salary by pushing myself. There is no such thing as a Turkish shepherd left. Because there are no Turkish shepherds, Afghan shepherds make us do whatever they want; we are fed up. The shepherd issue bothers us. This problem has made us tired of livestock farming. I have 400 sheep. I pay a salary of 30 thousand liras. I take care of everything from his housing and food to his phone bill. His monthly cost comes to 40 thousand liras. I cannot spend 40 thousand liras in a month with my family. I pay for everything. He demands 30 GB of internet from me, and I buy that too. Whatever amount of GB he wants, I am forced to buy it. I see no other solution to this situation other than the state stepping in. If at least they paid his insurance, we could handle the rest. 15 years ago, there were three herds in our village. Due to the shepherd shortage, now only mine remains. I am holding on for now, but I don't know what the end will be. If the state solves the shepherd shortage, livestock farming will increase and meat prices will fall. Our geography is magnificent.”

News Source: İHA