Convoy of farmers in southeast Turkey block road demanding better prices

Fatma Keber, Ferhat Yaşar / Gazete Duvar

Tomato and pepper farmers in Turkey’s southeastern Kahramanmaraş province on Aug. 17 blocked the intercity highway with their tractors in protest of the low market prices. 

Pazarcık Chamber of Agriculture President Ali Çiftepala stated that the governor’s office initially granted permission for the protest but later revoked it, which problematized the chamber’s official participation. 

 “When it became unofficial, we, as the Chamber of Agriculture, couldn’t participate. Our farmers, along with our local headman, took to the road.”

The president stated that the problems in agriculture have driven farmers to this point. 

“Costs keep rising, but the products don’t fetch enough money. Many of the farmers' products, like melons and watermelons, are left to rot in the fields due to low prices. This year, low yields due to climate conditions worsened the situation. Farmers are understandably trying to make their voices heard,” Çiftepala said.

One of the protesters, farmer Hüseyin Sefil, noted that participation was lower than expected. He reported that around 200 tractors and twice as many cars joined the demonstration. “As long as our products don’t bring in money, these protests will continue. We’ll discuss with friends tonight to decide when and how frequently we’ll protest.”

He drew attention to the disproportion between wholesale and market prices. “Tomatoes sell for 2-3 lira in the fields but no less than 10 lira in stores. With such a discrepancy, we’re losing money. We’ll escalate our protests to make our voices heard, involving more farmers.”

Sefil continued, “We want costs reduced and our products guaranteed by the state. I need 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 this continues, farming will die—it’s already on its deathbed. We want our voices heard.” 

İbrahim Demircioğlu, Vice President of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP)’s Maraş branch and a farmer himself, highlighted farmers' economic hardships. 

“The situation for farmers is dire. There’s an economic crisis. There’s talk of early elections. Costs are skyrocketing, doubling every year, while product prices stay the same.”

He believed the state should support farmers, especially in these trying times. “The state isn’t providing enough support. Today’s large-scale protest happened because farmers have reached their breaking point. Many people I spoke to say they’re quitting farming. Some want to sell their land. This protest is the final expression of years of frustration. They expect support from the state. They don’t want to be at the mercy of traders,” he concluded. 

Farmers called for the resignation of agricultural chamber leaders, accusing them of living in luxury. Farmer İrfan Aydınlık stated, “Farmers in Maraş are in a dire situation. They’ve left their tomatoes to rot in the fields. Farmers are struggling to survive. Harvesting will begin in the Maraş region within a week, but the prices offered don’t cover the costs, leading to losses.” 

The protesters called on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, deputies, and mayors to adjust prices and support farmers. “If farmers aren’t supported, we’ll soon hear about farmer suicides. Meanwhile, the Chamber of Agriculture president remains in office, ignoring our plight.”

(English version by Ayşenaz Toptaş)

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