Fatma Keber, Ferhat Yaşar / Gazete Duvar
In protest against low market prices, tomato and pepper farmers in the southeastern Turkish province of Kahramanmaraş blocked the highway with their tractors on August 17.
The president of the Pazarcık Chamber of Agriculture, Ali Çiftepala, said that the governor’s office had initially approved the protest but later revoked it, making the chamber’s official participation problematic.
“When the action became unofficial, we as the Chamber of Agriculture could no longer participate. Our farmers and our local mayor took to the streets.”
The President explained that problems in agriculture had driven farmers to this point.
“Costs continue to rise, but products do not bring in enough money. Many of the farmers’ products, such as melons and watermelons, are rotting in the fields due to low prices. This year, low yields due to climatic conditions have made the situation worse. Farmers are understandably trying to raise their voices,” said Çiftepala.
One of the protesters, farmer Hüseyin Sefil, noted that the number of participants was lower than expected. He reported that around 200 tractors and twice as many cars took part in the demonstration. “As long as our products do not bring in money, these protests will continue. We will discuss with friends tonight when and how often we will protest.”
He pointed out the discrepancy between wholesale and market prices. “Tomatoes are sold in the field for 2-3 lira, but in the store for no less than 10 lira. With such a discrepancy, we are losing money. We will intensify our protests to make our voice heard and involve more farmers.”
Sefil continued: “We want cost reductions and a government guarantee for our products. I have to marry off my child, buy a car and pay my mortgage, but how? It’s like gambling because we don’t know what the future holds. If things continue like this, agriculture will die – it is already dying. We want our voices to be heard.”
İbrahim Demircioğlu, vice president of the Maraş branch of the main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), and a farmer himself, highlighted the economic difficulties faced by farmers.
“The situation for farmers is catastrophic. There is an economic crisis. There is talk of early elections. Costs are exploding, doubling every year, while product prices remain the same.”
He believes that the state should support farmers, especially in these difficult times. “The state is not providing enough support. Today’s massive protest has taken place because farmers are at their breaking point. Many people I have spoken to say they are giving up farming. Some want to sell their land. This protest is the latest expression of years of frustration. They expect support from the state. They do not want to be at the mercy of traders,” he concluded.
Farmers demanded the resignation of the head of the Chamber of Agriculture and accused her of living in luxury. Farmer İrfan Aydınlık said: “Farmers in Maraş are in a bad situation. They have left their tomatoes to rot in the fields. Farmers are struggling to survive. In the Maraş region, the harvest will start within a week, but the prices offered do not cover the costs, which leads to losses.”
The protesters called on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, MPs and mayors to adjust prices and support farmers. “If farmers are not supported, we will soon hear of suicides among farmers. Meanwhile, the president of the Chamber of Agriculture remains in office and ignores our plight.”
(English version by Ayşenaz Toptaş)
