Yozgat Farmers Demand End to TMO Grain Quotas Amid High Yields

Grain producers in the Yozgat region of Turkey are urging the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) to abolish the current quota system for grain purchases. Farmers cite significantly increased yields this year, attributed to favorable rainfall, which has surpassed the limits set by the TMO based on previous production records.

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We can't even cover the cost of fertilizer, seeds, and fuel. We are very distressed. TMO hasn't paid. TMO's price has dropped. People are selling to traders. What should we do? We will store it and wait. We want a fair price. If there's a price, we'll continue. Otherwise, we'll abandon the fields. We can't cope.

Producers in areas like Sekili Village, Yerköy district, report harvesting between 650 kilograms and higher per decare this year, a substantial increase from the 350 kilograms previously recorded. However, the TMO's quota system only allows for the purchase of up to 350 kilograms per decare, forcing farmers to sell any surplus to private traders, often at less favorable prices.

Farmers express deep concern over their financial viability, highlighting the rising costs of fertilizers, seeds, and fuel. Hasan Nacakoğlu, a producer from Sekili Village, stated that despite the good harvest, current prices are insufficient to cover their expenses. "We can't even cover the cost of fertilizer, seeds, and fuel," he said, adding that they are forced to store their grain and wait for better prices, or risk abandoning their fields.

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This year, thank God, the yield is good. We had plenty of rain. It made a big difference compared to previous years. In previous years, it started from 200 kilos per decare, increasing to 300, 400 kilos, but this year it was very productive, yielding 500, 600 kilos. Mine yielded 650 kilos according to our calculations. That is, it doesn't drop below 500, 400 kilos. Barley prices are very low. There are buyers. They have made quite a discount. They are reportedly saying 10 lira, 10.5 lira. This is really a big thing for the farmer. The cost is high.

Recep Pekkara, a barley producer from Arifoğlu Village, Yerköy, echoed these sentiments, noting that while yields have doubled in some cases, market prices have fallen. He mentioned that buyers are offering prices around 10-10.5 Turkish Lira, which is insufficient given the high production costs. Yozgat Chamber of Agriculture President İsmail Açıkgöz confirmed that they have submitted requests to remove the TMO quota, emphasizing the high regional yields and the resulting predicament for farmers.

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We have made the necessary applications to remove the grain purchase quota implemented by TMO. The yield in the region is high this year. In the Yerköy region, combine harvesters have started on barley. Wheat will be harvested in 2-3 days. The wheat is not bad. Barley yields approximately 450 to 650 kilos. We are seeing 450 to 600 kilos of wheat. The yield appears to be a bit higher in that region. But now a problem has arisen for our farmers. With the TÜİK announcement, farmers have been given a quota between 350 kilos, 330 kilos, and 450 kilos. In Yerköy, we have friends who harvested up to 650 kilos of barley. After 450...