Rhodope tobacco farmers seek support as MP Özgür Ferhat raises issue in Parliament

Özgür Ferhat, a Member of Parliament from the New Left Party Greece, has brought the economic struggles of tobacco farmers in Rhodope to the parliamentary agenda, highlighting what he describes as a clear imbalance in agricultural support policies.

In a formal parliamentary question addressed to the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Ferhat pointed to the lack of financial assistance for tobacco producers despite documented crop losses, contrasting their situation with other sectors that have received state aid.

Unequal Support Across Agricultural Sectors
Ferhat noted that rice farmers have recently benefited from direct financial aid under the de minimis aid framework, receiving per-acre subsidies. However, tobacco producers—who have suffered comparable or even greater losses—have yet to receive any concrete support.

Documented Crop Damage
According to an official report dated September 26, 2025, issued by the Rhodope Directorate of Agriculture to the Tobacco Producers’ Cooperative, extreme heat and drought conditions caused:

• Stunted plant growth
• Seedling drying
• Significant yield losses
• Noticeable decline in product quality due to plant health issues

Despite these findings, no compensation or targeted support mechanism has been implemented to date, leaving producers facing mounting financial pressure.

Key Questions to the Government
Ferhat’s parliamentary inquiry seeks clarification on:

• The current status of any support evaluation for Rhodope tobacco farmers
• Whether the government plans to introduce direct financial aid and through which funding tools
• A potential timeline for compensation decisions
• Whether official damage reports have been formally reviewed and acted upon
• Call for Fair Agricultural Policy

Ferhat stressed that excluding tobacco farmers from support schemes—despite verified losses—undermines fairness in agricultural policy. He called for a balanced and equitable approach, pledging to continue advocating for the rights of producers in Rhodope.

The issue has drawn attention to broader concerns over climate-related agricultural damage and the need for inclusive support mechanisms across all farming sectors in Greece.