Turkey can reach 100 billion dollars in agriculture
Stating that the new agriculture and livestock policies announced by Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım were of vital importance, Işınsu Kestelli, chairperson of the Board of Directors of İzmir Commodity Exchange (ICE), said "If these steps are supported with new steps that will add value in trade, Türkiye can reach a volume of 100 billion dollars in agriculture in a short time."
Kestelli also added that the new model and incentive system announced recently by Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım for agriculture and livestock sectors would improve the production capacity of the country.
Kestelli also said, "We have expressed for a long time that Türkiye should have a reform agenda more different than the current policies in agriculture and livestock", and added:
"We gladly listened to the new production model and incentives announced with great determination by Mr. Prime Minister in İzmir. Basin model in production will no doubt increase the production capacity of our country, if implemented with determination. It is also possible for Türkiye to be one of the major hubs of livestock farming. We believe that an efficient and sustainable policy will lead the way for many major breakthroughs in Turkish agriculture and livestock sectors. The expected benefits of this package are likely to exceed 15 billion dollars if implemented well and correctly. In fact, we should be able to carry our agricultural production value over 100 billion dollars in a very short time. The contribution of agriculture to the national income should be above 10 percent for a more stable future in this country. Agriculture and livestock farming is the cement of this country".
NEW STEP SHOULD BE INNOVATIVE TRADE
Highlighting that reforms are also needed for agricultural trade in order for these strategic steps taken to turn into added value in global scale, Kestelli said, "We are the largest producer in Europe, but we rank 27th in agricultural trade in the world. Once we also take our place in the first 10 major countries in trade, we can say that everything done has served their purpose. Therefore, we must take steps that will improve the competitiveness of our country in agricultural trade. We must develop rational policies in all areas that will generate added value, from improving corporate capacity of the sector to licensed warehousing and electronic product certificates, from product-specific exchanges to geographical indications. We see this vision and determination in the current government. I hope this new period proves to be beneficial for our country and the sector".
17.10.2016
