Criticizing the Opposition, Erdoğan Ignores Imamoglu

During an iftar program with farmers, Erdogan listed a series of good news one after another, stating, “In the year 2025, we will provide 18.5 billion Turkish lira of rural development support through the budget and co-financing support from international institutions.”

IGNORING IMAMOGLU AND TARGETING THE OPPOSITION

By not making any statements about the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s detention, Erdogan criticized the opposition for their criticism of agricultural policies. Erdogan emphasized that Turkey is the fourth largest producer of vegetables and fruits in the world and said, “We produce 206 types of agricultural products in our country. We rank fourth in vegetable and fruit production worldwide. In raw milk production, we are 9th in the world and 3rd in Europe. Along with the success in production, our agricultural and forestry sector has achieved growth above the Turkish average. The Turkey accused of agriculture being over is now a leader in agricultural income in Europe and ranks 8th globally. Today, we achieve the annual export we made as a country in 2002 just in agriculture. We export 2,252 types of agricultural products to 186 countries. We export seeds to 104 countries. These figures are sufficient for those with closed minds. They will continue to find or even fabricate lies to discredit our governments and the sector. The realities of our agriculture sector, which the opposition tries to cover up, are these.”

Highlights from Erdogan’s Statements

“I thank our Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, which brings us together. I send greetings to our farmer brothers who work every inch of our homeland with sweat. We are grateful for the support you have given to our democracy, especially in the most difficult times. We cannot forget your leading role in protecting national will on July 15. We overcame many crises like July 15 with you.”

“TO THE HEROES WHO NARROWED THE FIELD FOR COUP PLOTTERS…”

On that dark night, I once again thank all the heroes who narrowed the field for the plotters of the coup. We brought our country to a level that is followed in agriculture, animal husbandry, and exports together. We strive without succumbing to attacks targeting me and my government. We make efforts for the peace of mind of 85 million people. We are making efforts to give the deserved value to agriculture and our farmer brothers.

“OUR FARMERS KNOW HOW MUCH SUPPORT THEY WILL RECEIVE FOR WHICH PRODUCT”

Imitations of unhealthy products are instantly disclosed. Our fight against exorbitant prices continues unabated. We took a series of precautions before Ramadan. Our Ministry of Trade and Treasury and Ministry of Finance have initiated investigations into those causing exorbitant price increases. Hopefully, our fight will continue even after the month of Ramadan. We implemented a revolutionary regulation last year to address problems arising from unplanned production in agriculture. With this regulation, we will prevent complaints such as excessive stock of this product. We also shared our new support model. Now our farmers know in advance how much support they will receive for which product and plan their cultivation accordingly.

“WE WILL NOT TURN A BLIND EYE TO EXORBITANT PRICES”

We will see the positive results of production planning better in the next 3 years. We are on full alert; we will not turn a blind eye to exorbitant prices. We put water at the center of our agricultural policies. We have put into service water and irrigation facilities costing 3 trillion 350 billion Turkish liras in 22 years. We will put 321 more facilities into service within this year. I remind of the importance of agricultural insurance and invite those who have not yet taken it to do so. We have grant supports in our rural development programs. In the year 2025, we will provide 18.5 billion Turkish liras of rural development support through the budget and international institutions, with credit support. In this way, we will provide employment for 10,000 people.”