Şemsi Bayraktar calls for agriculture to be treated as national security

Şemsi Bayraktar, President of the Union of Turkish Chambers of Agriculture (TZOB), has emphasized that agriculture must be treated as a matter of national security due to geopolitical risks and the essential nature of food.

During visits to Kayseri and Sivas, Bayraktar highlighted the importance of regional production. In Kayseri, he noted the city's significant contribution to food security through the production of potatoes, sugar beets, lentils, and sunflower seeds. He specifically pointed out that while Turkey imports most sunflower oil, it is an exporter of confectionery sunflower seeds, with Kayseri being a leading producer.

In Sivas, Bayraktar issued warnings regarding water scarcity and the need for improved irrigation efficiency. He noted that cracks in aging irrigation channels cause significant water loss and urged for investments in modernizing infrastructure. He warned that farmers may eventually be forced to switch to more drought-resistant crops to adapt to changing climate conditions, a shift that could also impact the livestock sector.