Pharmacists and retirees navigate agriculture and rising costs

Individual stories highlight varying experiences with agriculture and economic pressure in Turkey.

Yeliz Dermancı, a pharmacist and trained agricultural technician, has transitioned into professional farming in Menemen. Using her pharmaceutical background to develop plant-based formulations, she focuses on pesticide-free production. She has expanded her operations by planting 1,300 trees and utilizing solar energy to support her eco-friendly farming efforts.

In Balıkesir, 70-year-old retiree Nazlı Köroğlu is selling vegetables such as zucchini, peppers, and tomatoes at local markets to afford medical expenses. Dealing with hypertension and diabetes, Köroğlu reported that the high cost of medication makes it difficult to live on a monthly pension of 14,500 lira. During a market visit, politician Turhan Çömez criticized the economic situation and rising medication costs.