Özkan Taşpınar, Chairman of National Cereal Council (NCC) announced that wheat cultivation areas which were 9 million hectares 10 years ago reduced to around 7,7 million hectares. Taşpınar warns cultivation areas below this figure will bring about the problem of production inadequacy in drought years.

‘2017 Cereal Season Assessment Panel’ was held by Edirne Commodity Exchange and National Cereal Council (NCC) in Edirne. Özkan Taşpınar, Chairman of NCC stated that wheat cultivation areas of Turkey have reduced from 9 million hectares to 7,7 million hectares over the last decade and it is required to take measures immediately. Reporting that important steps have been taken for agriculture in recent years, Mr. Taşpınar added: “Agriculture is a dynamic sector. We, as the member of a big family which affects the majority part of society in terms of economy, society and culture know that we have a lot to do in this developing and changing environment. Wheat cultivation area which was 9 million hectares 10 years ago has reduced to 7.7 million hectares and now continues to reduce gradually. Despite this, our new product ranges and efficiently in the unit area have increased. Consumption was more than anticipated due to the population growth, increased immigrant population and number of tourists as well as outsourced aid. Unfortunately, wheat is assessed as the product of barren lands. Wheat cultivation areas have reached to limit values, and cultivation areas reducing below will bring about issues of production inadequacy in drought years.”

TIMING OF IMPORT SHOULD BE CALCULATED WELL Stating that an immediate action should be taken to increase cultivation areas by considering supports for wheat and regional differences, Mr. Taşpınar said, “It is required to make policies to increase production and take measures immediately to protect cultivation areas. There are about 4.5 million hectares of fallowing areas in Turkey. Interbasin water transfer must absolutely be made within the framework of certain principles in order to reduce the dependency of agriculture on climate conditions. Reduction of customs funds and import statements affect markets negatively in harvest seasons of product, disincline farmers from production, even guide them away from production. Regulations on customs duty must be calculated well if taxes are to be reduced, this should be applied not in the harvest season, but in times when production is at the minimum level. Mr. Taşpınar recorded that it is a mistake to show the reason for inflation in Turkey as agriculture and food.