Agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for the people of Kurdistan. Hundreds of different products are grown in the fertile lands of Kurdistan. In the past, 65 percent of Turkey's agricultural needs were met by the Kurdistan region, but today, due to the Turkish state's long-standing war policies and the dams it has built, agricultural areas have been greatly reduced.

Speaking to ANF about the agricultural policy implemented in Kurdistan, Agricultural Engineer Abdussamed Ucaman stated the following:

'Kurdish cities are at a disadvantage compared to other provinces in Turkey'

“When we talk about agriculture, we do not only evaluate plant production. It would be more accurate to say agricultural production. What we mean by agricultural production encompasses food authenticity that is intertwined with the production process on one hand and the market and consumption aspects of the business on the other. When evaluating the current agricultural policy, it is true that misguided policies across Turkey and, in particular, current policies in Kurdistan influence each other. However, when we evaluate agricultural policies in Kurdistan from a sociological and economic infrastructure perspective, we see that they are at a disadvantage compared to other provinces in Turkey.

In the 1990s, nearly 4,000 villages were evacuated, and villagers were cut off from production; farmers had to give up production and migrate to cities. This situation causes economic hardship in the city center when there is no production. Serious problems related to access to food arise. These are the sociological aspects of the issue.

The situation is also distinct in terms of the plant's physiology and contribution to production. In the sociological and social sphere, it is transforming into a structure that undermines and disrupts the entire essence of the ecological community, and the ancient agricultural memory is beginning to disappear. While causing the disappearance of existing local seeds, it also leads to a complete change in plant seeds that have adapted to the soil, climate, and conditions there over thousands of years.”

‘A deliberate policy of reducing agricultural land in Kurdistan’

Ucaman pointed out that the state was pursuing a deliberate policy of reducing agricultural land in Kurdistan and local producers were being driven out of farming:

The government’s approach to agriculture is to seek solutions by evaluating only the results rather than the causes and consequences. To date, the relevant ministry appointed by the administration has been misguided in agricultural policies because neither its employees nor the ministers themselves have any knowledge of or interest in agriculture.

We can also add the effects of global corporations and neoliberal policies to this. Unfortunately, the farmers here cannot produce. Because input costs are high, the farmers cannot sell the product they produce. This situation also causes disruption in the food supply chain.

The evacuation of villages in Kurdistan, monthly bans on villages, and restrictions on access to fields are bringing production to a standstill. These are being done deliberately. As a result, production in Kurdistan has now become a serious problem. Although one-third of the country's wheat comes from Kurdistan, there are currently serious problems. However, with the right policy, Kurdistan alone is in a position to feed the Middle East. It is in an advantageous position due to its agricultural structure, land resources, climate conditions, and irrigable land.”

‘Farmers here need to form cooperatives’

Ucaman stated that problems could be eliminated by protecting agricultural areas and encouraging farmers to produce, saying, "The state needs to perceive agriculture as a strategic area and transform its budget focus into a policy approach related to the planning of agricultural production and the continuity of production. Farmers here need to form cooperatives. Unless they do so, they will be unable to compete with large companies. As a result, they will be forced to sell their products at low prices.

Separate regulations should be established for each product. There is a need for integration regarding the shelf life, processing, operation, and packaging of these products. All of these are interrelated issues. Serious solutions should be developed to the problems faced by farmers, and local seeds should be re-examined and field studies conducted.

Support policies for farmers should be increased and incentives provided. This will resolve the existing problems in agriculture."