Potato Farmers Suffer From Disorganization

The producers from Bolu, one of the leading potato producing regions in Turkey, were at a loss this year too. The potatoes that were harvested for 140 thousand Turkish lira (USD 0.086) last year are this year, harvested for 100-125 thousand Turkish lira (USD.061- 0.077).

The potatoes cost the producers 300 thousand Turkish lira (USD 0.2) per kilogram

The producers bought seeds this April for 1.1 euros (USD 1.1) per kilogram. The imported seeds with a 70 percent interest, ended up costing the farmers 2 million Turkish lira (USD 1.23). The farmers buy seeds with loans.

This is how much one-kilogram of potatoes cost the producers:

* One kilogram of seeds yield to 10 kilograms of potatoes.

* The cost of seeds in one kilogram of potatoes is 200 thousand Turkish lira (USD 0.012)

* When the cost of fuel oil, fertilizers, irrigation and farming are added on to the cost of seeds, the potatoes need to be sold for at least 300 thousand Turkish lira (USD 0.2), to prevent loss.

Avni Erates, who is considering to quit growing potatoes under such conditions, says, "We need to sell three kilograms of potatoes to be able to drink a cup of tea. But one kilogram of potatoes can fill five people."

Erates complains that the Bolu Chamber of Agriculture, which imports and sells the seeds, leaves the producers on their own at the point of selling.

"The main task of the Chamber of Agriculture is not to sell seeds, but to organize and care for the producers," said Erates. "But unfortunately the Chamber of Agriculture does nothing to help the farmers. It has become a commercial establishment that makes profit from farmers." (EK)