Hüseyin Zeybek: 'The government shows indifference to cotton producers'

New Left Xanthi MP Hüseyin Zeybek criticized the government's indifference toward cotton producers in Western Thrace, highlighting the severe challenges faced by farmers in the Xanthi and Rhodope regions. Despite these pressing issues, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food has remained unresponsive, Zeybek said.
In a statement on January 10, 2025, Zeybek emphasized that 2024 was a particularly challenging year for cotton producers due to severe drought and widespread green worm infestations, leading to significant drops in production, especially in non-irrigated areas. He noted that the cotton prices, stuck at €0.50-€0.55 per kilogram, fail to cover production and harvesting costs, forcing many farmers to abandon their crops in the fields.
Zeybek pointed out that he submitted a parliamentary question on October 31 regarding these issues, but it took the ministry two months to respond, and even then, the reply failed to offer tangible solutions. "The ministry has neither committed to economic aid through the de minimis support program nor addressed requests to lower the minimum harvest threshold to preserve 2024 subsidies," Zeybek stated, accusing the government of lacking intent to support cotton producers.
Highlighting cotton farming as a vital source of livelihood for the region, Zeybek warned that the government's inaction endangers the local economy. He reaffirmed Yeni Sol Party's solidarity with the farmers and called for immediate measures to secure their incomes and prevent economic collapse.