Based on this information, write a new short title in English: The budget of the Ministry of Agriculture is being discussed in the committee – BRTK

The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources budget of 4 billion 258 million 371 thousand TL is being discussed in the Republic Assembly Economy, Finance, Budget and Planning Committee.

Speaking at the committee, Republican Turkish Party Deputy Doğuş Derya noted in his speech that the acidity in sea water increased by 26 percent in the last five years after the industrial revolution and drew attention to temperature increases.

Derya said, “The world is going to a very bad place” and expressed the opinion that one quarter of the agricultural land in the country will be lost by 2050. Stating that many endemic plants and animals have disappeared, Derya said that there is no state policy regarding the protection of wildlife.

Stating that agricultural policies cannot be calculated by foreseeing the future, Derya said, “It has been a long time since policies that increase productivity have been discovered in the world.” Noting that rainwater collection systems can be encouraged, Derya said, “Why aren’t policies developed based on these?” he asked.

Stating that the land used for food production in the country is limited, Derya said that these issues are a non-partisan issue. Doğuş Derya also asked how many of the people engaged in agricultural activities are actually farmers.

Referring to the exorbitant increase in meat prices, Derya noted that the volume of meat is increased in restaurants by a method such as “pressing soy into the meat” and that this should be controlled.

Asking whether there is a vision put forward by the ministry regarding beekeeping in the country, Derya stated that he was very saddened to see years of citrus trees being used as firewood.

Stating that agricultural lands should be cared for as children are cared for, Derya noted that there is a distorted construction in the country, which is in an earthquake zone. Reminding the fire in Mersinlik, Derya also asked for information about the rehabilitation works.

Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Hüseyin Çavuş responded to Derya’s criticism. Underlining that the Ministry of Agriculture is and will continue to be free from politics, Sergeant said that they will implement people-oriented policies.

Reminding that they received support for sunflower, Minister Sergeant stated that they are working to develop the scope of the General Agricultural Insurance Fund in order to meet the food supply, and noted that they also included fresh vegetables within the scope of General Agricultural Insurance.

Stating that the support for pulses continues to increase, Sergeant said that he is a minister who publishes the support program in pencil.

Minister Sergeant stated that they continue to support the production of quality roughage and emphasized that the construction request for first and second class lands was rejected.

Stating that they increased the support in the greenhouse for the first time, Minister Sergeant explained that they also supported women’s cooperatives. Sergeant noted that they will implement the work within the Ministry of Agriculture on climate change in a short time.

Stating that they opened all forest roads from Erenköy to Dipkarpaz, Sergeant also gave information about afforestation activities. Answering the question “How many of the people engaged in agricultural activities are actually farmers?”, Minister Sergeant said, “There are no civil servants in any of the statements made to us.”

CTP Deputy Şifa Çolakoğlu pointed out the sudden rains that come with the climate crisis and listed what needs to be done. Çolakoğlu stated that although the needs are great, the Department of Water Affairs item is small.

Minister Sergeant stated that what and how will be done within the framework of the Soil Water Master Plan will be determined and that they are in consultation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and municipalities.

Independent Deputy Ayşegül Baybars asked whether the Ministry of Agriculture has a definition of farmer, livestock breeder or producer and what the criteria are for giving incentives.

Stating that the population issue is one of the most important issues in agriculture, Baybars noted that needs should be determined according to population. Stating that there is a need for modernization in agricultural policies, Baybars asked what kind of planning the Ministry thinks about the climate crisis and drought.

Stating that he does not know what benefits the given incentives provide in the development of agricultural policies, Baybars said that agricultural production should be protected and developed.

Referring to the construction in the country, Baybars asked Minister Sergeant what he thought about leaving the issue of renting agricultural lands to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Minister Sergeant stated that he explained the agricultural policies during his ministry and that the definitions were also put forward. Stating that the supports aim at sustainability, continuity in production and growth, Minister Sergeant also shared the growth figures in milk.

Stating that he provides supports to reduce input costs and increase efficiency, Minister Sergeant also shared the animal population figures.

In response to UBP Deputy Hasan Taçoy’s question about the market demand for potatoes, Hüseyin Çavuş gave information about the figures for potato production.