Salary is 100,000 TL but no one is working: They are making their own children work!

Having left behind the harsh conditions of the winter months, livestock breeders in Erzincan have begun taking their herds to the pastures with the arrival of spring. However, a problem that grows larger every year in the region is drawing attention: the shortage of shepherds.

Breeders, who cannot find shepherds to work despite offering monthly salaries of up to 100,000 TL, are in a major dilemma.

SALARY IS HIGH BUT EXPENSES ARE ALSO MOUNTING

Producers engaged in small and large livestock farming in Erzincan, one of Turkey's important livestock centers, are experiencing great difficulty in employing shepherds. Moreover, the cost of a shepherd is not limited to just the salary.

In addition to daily expenses such as housing, food, and cigarettes, gifts given at the end of the season—such as yogurt, cheese, wool, and similar items—also increase the total cost. This situation makes the decision for producers to hire a shepherd even more difficult.

BREEDERS SEEK SOLUTIONS IN THEIR OWN CHILDREN

Some breeders who cannot find shepherds are forced to send their own children to the pastures as a solution. However, stating that this temporary solution does not have a permanent effect, one breeder summarizes the seriousness of the situation with the words: "We try to complete the work a shepherd does by sending 2-3 of our children, but unfortunately, we cannot achieve the same efficiency."

NOTHING REPLACES AN EXPERIENCED SHEPHERD

Breeders emphasize that experienced shepherds are much more successful in areas such as animal management, navigation in nature, and controlling the herd.

However, they state that they no longer have the financial strength to cover this service in the face of rising input costs. Another producer expresses their situation with these words: "There is a need for a shepherd, we are willing to pay their salary, but we do not have the strength in our pockets to carry this burden."

THE FUTURE IS UNCERTAIN, LIVESTOCK FARMING IS IN TROUBLE

It is emphasized that with high inflation, rising feed prices, and increases in other agricultural inputs, the sustainability of livestock farming will be in danger if the shepherd problem is not solved. Producers in Erzincan expect the state to increase support mechanisms on this issue.