Record Agricultural Production of 140 Million Tons Expected
· Google Haberler
Following one of the wettest periods in the last 66 years, Turkey is set to conclude its harvest season with a record agricultural production of 140 million tons, announced Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı.
Historic Yield Target Set
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı personally participated in a wheat harvest in Eflani district of Karabük, operating a combine harvester. Minister Yumaklı announced that 93% of the barley and wheat harvest has been completed nationwide, stating that the country has experienced one of the wettest periods in the last 66 years, and the abundant rainfall following the drought has directly reflected in production.
Addressing the yield expectations for the harvest period, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı made the following statement:
At the beginning of the harvest season, we said we expected a very good harvest period and very good yields, breaking almost all-time records. With the incoming figures, we saw that we were right in this expectation. God willing, we will close the harvest season with a production of 140 million tons. This is an all-time record.
Agricultural Productivity Efforts Accelerated
Pointing out that Turkey is located in the geography which is the homeland of wheat, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı stated that comprehensive steps are being taken to minimize the negative effects of global climate change on agricultural production. He mentioned that they are working continuously on seed improvement, modern production techniques, and harvesting methods.
Drawing attention to the fundamental role of producers in agriculture, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı continued his words as follows:
Our goal is to increase our yield, to increase our production. At this point, our greatest strength is, of course, our producers. I sincerely thank all our producers who have their hands and labor in the soil.
Turkish Grain Board (TMO) Purchases
Sharing the details of the product purchase processes carried out by the Turkish Grain Board (TMO), Minister Yumaklı announced that the number of purchasing points has been increased from 600 centers at the beginning of the season to 769 centers to prevent producers from being disadvantaged. He emphasized the strategic importance of agricultural production.
Providing information on TMO's purchase figures, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı made the following statements:
We said we would not leave a single gram of product unpurchased in the hands of any of our producers, any of our farmers. We have achieved this. As of today, the Turkish Grain Board has purchased 11.5 million tons of product.
Warning Against Stubble Fires
Minister Yumaklı drew attention to the danger of stubble fires emerging after the harvest season, reporting that the risk of fire is multiplied in regions where agricultural lands are intertwined with forest areas. Recalling the forest fires that occurred in the past period around Karabük, Eflani, and Kastamonu, Yumaklı warned producers.
Stating that soil biology must be protected, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı noted the following in his assessment:
Dear friends, when you burn the stubble, you also burn everything living in that soil, everything you see or cannot see. It not only has no benefit for your next year's sowing activities but also leads to another disaster by ending the lives of the insects and pests there, so to speak.
Call for Direct Sowing Instead of Stubble Burning
Yumaklı thanked the producers who took precautions in the field with water tanks to intervene in sparks that might arise during harvest, and stated that direct sowing into stubble, instead of burning it, increases soil fertility. He noted that the Ministry's organizations will continue their awareness-raising efforts.
Concluding his remarks, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı called for an end to stubble burning:
Let's remove this issue of stubble burning from the agenda of this country. Our experts state that sowings made when stubble is incorporated into the field are much more productive. Producers who are curious can apply to our provincial and district agricultural directorates.