Cotton producers in Batman call for higher prices and subsidies

Cotton producers in Batman, Turkey, have expressed concerns regarding the sustainability of cotton cultivation for the upcoming season due to rising production costs and insufficient government subsidies.

Farmers, including Sehbetullah Işık and Metin Kahraman, highlighted significant increases in the costs of diesel, fertilizer, pesticides, irrigation, labor, and combine harvester services. To offset these expenses and ensure profitability, producers are calling for a product price in the range of 50-55 lira per kilogram.

Additionally, farmers are requesting that government support be increased to at least 5,000 lira per decare. They noted that current subsidy levels are inadequate compared to previous years, making it difficult to remain competitive in the market as input costs rise while product prices fluctuate.