UP TO 15% DISCOUNT ON FERTILIZER PRICES…
Today, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr. Bekir Pakdemirli (phD) held a press conference on fertilizer prices. Minister emphasized that the key input of agriculture is fertilizer and he added "If farmers fail to spread sufficient amount of fertilizer to his/her cropland, it is not possible to obtain the desired yield while harvesting. Prices of chemical fertilizers have risen due to the recent economic fluctuations, financial attacks to Turkish economy through the exchange rates and actions of certain groups that aim to turn the crisis into an opportunity. Some portion of these rises is caused by cost increase, while the other portion stems from the intentional and speculative reasons."
Minister Pakdemirli said I would like to give good news to farmers and he continued as follows:
"As the President Recep Tayyip Erdogan explained to our farmers, Agricultural Credit Cooperatives will facilitate the inputs of producers, and Turkish Grain Board (TMO) will provide purchase guarantee. By doing so, a system in which the Ministry and farmers act together in a coordinated manner at every step of production will be implemented. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said "We will protect our farmers and we never let them to be oppressed." Today, we are taking steps for this purpose and have a good news to the farmers as a result of our joint work with Agriculture Credit Cooperatives."
Then, Mr. Pakdemirli shared the good news with public and said "Having the largest group of farmers in Turkey, Agricultural Credit Cooperatives will make up to 15% discount on the prices of chemical fertilizer based on the type of fertilizer. For example, the price of phosphate fertilizer (DAP) per ton will be reduced from 3.250 liras to 2.900 liras. Following the implementation of the reduced price, we are expecting that whole sector will act responsibly. Also, we are closely following up the companies whom increased the prices dramatically."
Emphasizing that subsidies for wheat and barley that are fixed for many years will be increased and "Current subsidy amount for wheat and barley will be doubled and increased by 100% for the next year. We never let our farmers to suffer in any manner for the next harvesting period. Turkish Grain Board (TMO) will purchase the crops of our farmers based on the global market prices. TMO is continuing to supply wheat and barley considering the market demands. TMO has sufficient amount of products stored in its warehouses and continues to purchase products when necessary. Also I would like to thank municipalities, bakeries and supermarkets as they adapted their prices to the wheat price practices of TMO. Also I thank to Agriculture Credit Cooperatives for their national attitude to decrease the fertilizer price. Lastly, I wish our farmers fruitful and productive yields." said Mr. Pakdemirli.