Eskişehir agricultural leaders warn of rising farming costs

Agricultural leaders and officials in Eskişehir, Turkey, have raised alarms regarding the economic viability of farming due to rising production costs and insufficient support systems.

Faruk Güler highlighted that increasing expenses for fuel, fertilizer, seeds, feed, electricity, and irrigation are forcing farmers into debt. He argued that agricultural subsidies must be provided before the planting season to allow producers to plan effectively, rather than after production is complete. Additionally, he called for improved irrigation infrastructure to combat water scarcity caused by rising temperatures.

Speaking at the opening of the Farmer Support and Training Center (ÇİDEM) in Seyitgazi, Sencer Solakoğlu criticized the current state of agricultural education and field presence. He noted that the Ministry of Agriculture has become increasingly office-oriented, reducing the impact of agricultural engineers and veterinarians on the ground. Solakoğlu emphasized that simply producing more is insufficient if farmers cannot sell their products at profitable prices, stating that producers are currently “going bankrupt while producing.”