Farmers of Rhodope launch mobilizations — Tractors line up on Gümülcine–İskeçe National Road

Farmers in Rhodope began dynamic mobilizations on Sunday, 30 November, lining up their tractors along both sides of the 4th kilometer of the Gümülcine–İskeçe National Road. Their aim is to demand solutions to long-standing agricultural problems, as well as newly emerging issues linked to the OPEKEPE subsidy scandal, which has left many producers unpaid or underpaid.

Demands for Fair Payments and Relief From Rising Costs

Farmers are calling for:

• Resolution of chronic problems in the sector
• Measures to address high production costs
• Solutions to the continued drop in product prices

Immediate correction of the reduced or missing coupled support payments, many of which appeared “slashed” or absent from farmers’ accounts last Friday

“Indefinite Presence on the Road”

The President of the Rhodope Farmers’ Association, Nikos Botrotsos, stated that tractors will remain on the road indefinitely until all producers receive the payments they are legally entitled to.

He emphasized that the recent incomplete payments have made an already difficult situation worse. Farmers across the country are now coordinating actions, and roadblocks are expected to be set up nationwide in the coming days. Although no road closures have yet been decided, the current gathering on the National Road is considered the starting point of broader mobilizations.

Tobacco Growers in Critical Condition

The President of the Thrace Tobacco Producers’ Cooperative, Ahmet Sinan, highlighted the severe financial hardship faced by small-scale tobacco farmers in the region.

He described:

• Huge problems caused by insufficient subsidy payments
• Inability of many growers to cover basic needs, pay EFKA insurance contributions, or afford medical care

“These producers have been deprived of money and have no way to face tomorrow,” he said, stressing that farmers must remain united and fight “until the end” to recover what was taken from them.

Livestock Sector at the Brink

Livestock farmers are also in dire straits. The President of the Rodopi Livestock Association, Dimitris Grigoriadis, pointed to the combined blow of:

• A devastating animal disease that has decimated herds
• Reduced coupled support payments

Around 50 members who went unpaid under the milk quota system due to missing documentation from ELGO-Dimitra, despite meeting production requirements

Many livestock families, he warned, are on the brink of collapse, and urgent state intervention is necessary to rebuild the sector.

Growing Anger Among Farmers

The President of the Union of Professional Farmers, Kyriakos Krokos, described widespread anger and despair among producers this year.

He stressed that:

• Critical issues affecting farmers’ survival have been neglected by the government for years
• Immediate action is needed to resolve the subsidy problems
• Agricultural distress will inevitably impact broader society

“The anger that has accumulated will eventually erupt somewhere,” he warned.

Regional Authority Expresses Support

The Deputy Regional Governor for Agricultural Economy and Livestock of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Hatzi Memet Ritvan, attended the mobilization to express practical support for farmers.

He acknowledged the injustice caused by the payment failures and stated that the crisis is the result of years of flawed subsidy policies. He reaffirmed that regional authorities will stand with the farmers for as long as necessary.