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In 18 years, we have listened and read the “agriculture in Turkey is collapsing” and “subsidies to farming decreased narratives many times.

However, the facts are very different from what was said; the subsidies for farmers and agriculture have continued, dependence on foreign countries in agriculture has been reduced gradually. Turkey was not satisfied with the economic growth, made a revolution in the field of agriculture.

The days, even straw was imported, are over. Straw production has reached 25 million tons per year. In 2019, only 150 kg were imported and 7 thousand tons were exported. Agricultural product exports, which were $ 3.8 billion in 2002, rose to $ 17 billion in 2019.

Subsidies increased by 52 %

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli said, “In the last two years, we increased our support by 52 % to 22 billion TL. As of December 2018-2020, we provided a total subsidies payment of 51.6 billion TL. In 2021, we will provide a total of 24 billion TL of agricultural support to our producers with 22 bn. TL plus 2 bn. TL, additional reserve allowance.

Pakdemirli emphasized that the subsidies provided to the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector, reaped the economic fruits, and led a growth by an average of 2.8 percent in 14 years.

Turkey overtook Europe on agricultural GDP

With its agricultural GDP of 44 billion dollars in 2018 and 48.5 billion dollars in 2019, Turkey is leading European countries, and among the top 10 in the world.

50 % of the diesel cost continues to be covered by the subsidies. The support provided in the last two years has increased by 52 % to 22 billion TL. As of December 2018-2020, a total of 51.6 billion TL was paid to support farmers. In 2021, a total of 24 billion TL of agricultural support will be provided to producers with 22 billion lira, and 2 billion lira additional reserves.