Yumaklı made an evaluation to the AA correspondent about the developments in the agricultural sector this year and the expectations for 2024. Pointing out that they have taken very important steps in planning the future of agriculture this year, Yumaklı said that the regulations made are what needs to be done regarding the issues affecting agriculture in the world, especially climate change. Yumaklı pointed out that one of the most important issues of this year was production planning and said, “We went through a process that centered on water and where many factors were evaluated under production planning. With the change in law, we started the process of making production planning in the next period, taking into account what we call ‘new normals’. “We have also made arrangements regarding contract farming, which is one of the main topics of production planning.” he said. Reminding that changes have been made regarding the Farmer Registration System, Yumaklı stated that thus the production can be recorded in the system. Yumaklı stated that they started the process for the agricultural census and that they plan to complete the work by the end of 2026. Reminding that the National Water Board was established this year, Yumaklı noted that they will put forward a management style regarding water on a national basis.

Feverish work in earthquake zone

Yumaklı stated that the work on the reorganization of agricultural supports has come to an end and said, “By the end of this year, we will have provided approximately 64 billion lira of support to our farmers.” he said. Emphasizing that this year was successful in responding to forest fires, Yumaklı said that he organized a workshop with the participation of all experts from the sector regarding the work to be done on forest fires next year. Yumaklı reminded that they started working to meet the needs of their producers immediately after the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes that occurred on February 6, and made the following assessment: “Approximately 16 thousand tons of feed were supplied to our producers in the region. Tents were provided for the care of the animals. Diesel and fertilizer subsidies were deposited in cash into the accounts of producers in the earthquake zone. More than 43 thousand small cattle, nearly 550 thousand poultry and nearly 26 thousand beehives were delivered to those who lost their animals in the region. Nearly 5,800 cattle will also be given. Our provincial and district directorates continue their work in plant production.”

“Agricultural supports need to be guiding”

Drawing attention to the steps they plan to take in the agricultural sector next year, Yumaklı said: “We aim to implement the production planning, the infrastructure of which we started to create this year, in 2024. A very intensive training process on this subject continues. It is difficult to start this process in a country with a wide production range. Cereals and oilseeds groups will be our main elements in production planning. “We are considering including products that have a very special importance for society in terms of consumption into the production planning.” Yumaklı stated that supports are an integral part of production planning and said, “Agricultural supports should be guiding. Work on supports, especially in aquaculture and animal production, has been completed, and plant production has also come to an end. With the implementation of the regulations, a beneficial process will begin for both producers and consumers. “Approximately 91 billion liras of support will be provided to producers next year.” said. Minister Yumaklı stated that the fight against forest fires will continue with the same effectiveness and that they will focus on ensuring that fires do not break out.

Emphasis on “productivity and quality” in animal production

Yumaklı informed that they will implement the Urban Agriculture Project and explained that they are carrying out serious work on creating organized agricultural zones. Stating that the studies carried out will help the country to gain an advantageous position for exports, Yumaklı said that sustainability, efficiency, quality, registration and investment are indispensable in agricultural production. Yumaklı pointed out that they are trying to create a production structure that takes these elements into account in animal production and said, “We need to pay great attention to efficiency and quality in animal production, and our policy will be shaped in this direction in the coming period.” he said. Yumaklı pointed out that foot-and-mouth disease causes damage to the productivity and quality of livestock in Turkey and emphasized that vaccinations in this regard are continuing. Yumaklı stated that they established an Animal Movement Control Center to prevent diseases from being transmitted through animal movements, and that they will increase the number of these centers. Drawing attention to their work on the application of ear tags in cattle and sheep, Yumaklı said, “Soon, with a different application, we will eliminate the problems related to both registration and the movement of animals caused by ear tags.” he said.