Parliamentary question raised on decline in agricultural population and cultivated land in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace
Hüseyin Zeybek, Member of Parliament for Xanthi and Agricultural Sector Coordinator for New Left, has called for immediate action to bolster agricultural activities and address irrigation challenges in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (EMT).
Prompted by alarming data presented at a recent event hosted by Democritus University of Thrace, Zeybek submitted a parliamentary question highlighting a 34% decline in the region's agricultural workforce from 2009 to 2020 (from 74,482 to 48,866) and a 39.7% drop in beekeepers. This downward trend has significantly impacted the local economy and production.
Additionally, irrigation issues stemming from reduced water availability and salinization threaten the sustainability of crops in the region.
Recognizing EMT’s critical role as an agricultural hub, Zeybek has urged the Ministry of Rural Development to outline measures to:
Revitalize agricultural activity in the region.
Upgrade irrigation infrastructure and manage water resources.
Enhance farmer education and training by leveraging the scientific expertise of Democritus University of Thrace.
Zeybek stressed the urgency of comprehensive interventions to address these challenges and safeguard the region's agricultural future.
