Stating that Turkish Grain Board purchases of seedless raisins takes place as promised, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli, "Yesterday a deputy gammoned about grapes. He says 'Turkish Grain Board doesn't buy grapes.' It's a total lie. When there are no complaints, they take people who are not producers with them and speak out of turn. I condemn such approaches and discourses that are away from political politeness and style." He said.
Minister Pakdemirli attended the Agriculture and Forest Sector Evaluation Meeting held in Haluk Elbe Meeting Hall in Bergama under Izmir program.
In his speech here, addressing the loss of yield and quality in pine nuts Mr. Pakdemirli said this problem must be solved. Minister Pakdemirli said, "This is an unsolved problem in the world. It has become compulsory for us to solve this."
Minister Pakdemirli stated that in the last 17 years in Turkey agriculture and livestock support has increased from 2 billion Turkısh Liras to over 16 billion Turkish Liras and this will also increase in the next year.
Minister Pakdemirli pointed out that sheep and goat farming and dairy has significant potential in Bergama.
Expressing that milk production has been significantly increased Mr. Pakdemirli said, "Hopefully in the coming months, we have a determination to make an extra hike in milk if we can. If we can make a recommendation to the Dairy Council, a milk hike, if we cannot, an increase in support during the winter period will be on the agenda. "he said.
"WE WILL ALSO SUPPORT OLIVES"
Emphasizing that they maintain supportive and producer-friendly policies in all products, Pakdemirli said they also took an important decision on olive. Pakdemirli said: "I had a statement about olive during the election period as 'We'll also support grain olives.' As of yesterday, I would like to announce that we are putting it in the 2020 budget. Hopefully we will support the grain olives from now on."
395 MILLION TURKISH LIRA SUPPORT TO PRODUCERS OF GOOD AGRICULTURE AND ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
Mentioning that they actively use regulatory organizations such as Turkish Grain Board, Meat and Milk Board and increase support, Mr. Pakdemirli said Good Agriculture and organic agriculture support started today, in total 123 thousand 304 producers will be paid 395 million 890 thousand 789 Turkish Liras,.
Reminding before the establishment of organized industrial zone based on agriculture in Bergama, "I told you before the election that we would establish 560 thousand square meters area. We're increasing this area to 3 million 460 thousand square meters. In this organized industrial zone, 250 cattle farming companies will operate. Thanks to this investment, 5 thousand citizens in Bergama will own business, "he said.
Pakdemirli also gave information about forest and irrigation projects planned in Bergama.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU CURSE THE PKK?"
Turkey is the world's first in the fight against forest fires, despite this; the opposition is doing politics over trees and asking, "Why didn't you use planes, why couldn't you put out the fire?" Pakdemirli said and continued:
"I ask the politicians from Izmir. The PKK took responsibility for the fire in Izmir. Why didn't one of you come out and make a statement cursing the PKK? They don't care about trees. Their problem is to irritate our ministry and our government and our president over me.
An extreme left winger organization has filed a criminal complaint against us, saying, 'These are inadequate.' For me, it's a badge of pride. Because our organization is a perfect organization, we had had martyrs back in the days. In our last Izmir fire, a helicopter pilot became martyr, but they are doing politics through a very hard-working and highly motivated organization. One tweeted yesterday. 'Hey Minister, be the one who plant not the one who burns.' He also shared a video. The video he shared is collaboration with the citizen organized by our forest staff. These keyboard warriors don't know anything, and they're trying to wear us down with such fabricated, lying, deceitful news. We will give them an answer. Let that deputy comes out and first curses the PKK, and then we will start to address him.
"TURKISH GRAIN BOARD CONTINUES TO BUY SEEDLESS RAISINS"
Minister Pakdemirli stated that Turkish Grain Board intervention purchase in seedless raisins continues and this issue has been also used in politics.
Pakdemirli noted that:
"A deputy came out yesterday twaddling about the grapes. He says ' Turkish Grain Board doesn't buy grapes. 'It's a total lie. We said 'Turkish Grain Board will take the number 9 raisin for 10 Turkish liras.' We've bought over 300 tons of grapes so far. Average 9.83 Turkish Liras. Of course, this is the price because taking the stoppage from the producer receipt, but we kept our promise on average. When there are no complaints, they take people who are not producers with them and speak out of turn. I condemn such approaches and discourses that are away from political politeness and style."
Bergama Mayor Hakan Koştu also expressed that they want to make the district a world brand. He said that work on establishing a free zone is ongoing, the importance of the district would increase with the introduction of the highway that would provide transportation with Izmir.
After the meeting, Pakdemirli and his companions visited the tradesmen in the historical Arasta Bazaar.