Mehmet Akın Doğan, the President of the Yüreğir Chamber of Agriculture, stated that farmers struggling with financial problems are abandoning production due to input costs.
Mehmet Akın Doğan, the President of the Yüreğir Chamber of Agriculture, highlighted the problems of the agricultural sector, which is directly related to the production of staple food products and plays a critical role in ensuring global food security. Doğan stated, "The increase in input costs such as fertilizer, seeds, pesticides, and fuel elevates agricultural production costs and reduces farmers' profit margins. Farmers struggling with financial problems are abandoning production. Droughts and improper water usage, particularly in irrigated agricultural areas, lead to yield losses due to the decrease in water resources. Land issues such as soil erosion, land fragmentation, and property disputes hinder the efficient use of agricultural land. Farmers face difficulties in selling their products due to marketing and logistical problems such as products not being marketed at fair prices and limited access to distribution channels. Due to financial constraints, farmers cannot allocate resources to modern agricultural techniques and mechanization, thus unable to improve production efficiency and quality."
Doğan continued, stating:
"To promote agricultural growth, mechanisms such as state support and agricultural insurance should be strengthened to protect farmers against market fluctuations. Steps should be taken for sustainable use of water resources, improvements in water management and irrigation techniques, and promotion of water conservation. Measures such as soil conservation practices and land planning will help increase the productivity of agricultural lands. Research and efforts should be made to develop the necessary logistics and marketing infrastructure to facilitate the access of our agricultural products to national and international markets. Support for the modernization of agricultural production techniques and educational programs for farmers will enhance the sector's competitiveness. Addressing the challenges faced by the agricultural sector and ensuring sustainable agricultural production require collaboration among all stakeholders.