Main opposition leader slams government over agricultural imports

Photo: AA

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Turkey should not have to import agricultural products such as wheat, lentils and cotton, as well as meat, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has said.

"Agriculture is now a strategic sector. The pandemic has shown us the fact that a country whose agriculture is underdeveloped may be doomed to starvation, it may have to import agricultural products," Kılıçdaroğlu said today (March 25) in a speech at an agricultural fair in Antalya, southern Turkey.

"Our country has soil, sun, water and hardworking people," yet it has to import agricultural products and meat, he said. "Why are we facing a crisis of starvation and poverty? I'd like all of you to think about this."

The government should compensate for the losses of farmers due to the sharp increases in fuel and fertilizer prices, said Kılıçdaroğlu.

The Russia-Ukraine war has exacerbated the problems, the CHP leader noted, adding that companies who import agricultural products to these countries have not been able to receive payments. (AS/VK)