Zeybek accuses government of ignoring wheat farmers in İskeçe

Independent MP for İskeçe Hüseyin Zeybek has accused the Greek government of failing to adequately address the serious problems facing wheat producers in İskeçe and the wider Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region.

Zeybek made the criticism following a response from the Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food to a parliamentary question he had submitted regarding the difficulties faced by local wheat farmers.

Wheat yields reportedly fall by more than 50%
According to Zeybek, wheat producers and the İskeçe Directorate of Agricultural Economy and Veterinary Medicine (DAOK) have reported yield reductions of more than 50%.

The losses are attributed to prolonged rainfall, crop diseases and other cultivation problems that have affected wheat production in the region.

Zeybek said the ministry acknowledged that it does not have sufficient data on the scale of the damage, even after the issue was raised through parliament.

Zeybek criticizes lack of government data
The independent MP argued that the ministry's response demonstrates a failure to properly assess the situation facing wheat producers in İskeçe.

He claimed that authorities had not made even the basic effort to document the extent of the damage and the resulting financial losses suffered by farmers.

According to Zeybek, the lack of reliable data also makes it difficult to determine the appropriate level of support required by affected producers.

No concrete financial support announced
Zeybek also criticized the government for failing to commit to specific financial measures for wheat farmers.

He said the ministry had not provided a substantive response regarding the possible use of European or national funding mechanisms to support producers affected by the decline in wheat yields.

The MP described the government's position as evidence of what he called indifference toward farmers in İskeçe and across Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

Call for a different agricultural policy
Zeybek argued that farmers need a different approach to agricultural policy and stronger government support to protect the future of rural communities.

“Farmers need a different policy and a different government that will provide practical support to the agricultural sector and guarantee the future of rural areas,” he said.