Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyerattended the opening of the Ödemiş Ornamental Plants and Nursery Exhibition. Stating that they have become dependent on imports with the wrong agricultural policies, President Soyer said, “There is a need for an agricultural planning institution. As the Metropolitan, we protect our producers. Let no one darken the neck. There is a solution to all the problems experienced in these fertile lands," he said.
Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyerattended the opening of the Ödemiş Ornamental Plants and Nursery Exhibition. At the opening of the exhibition, which was held for the 17th time this year by Ödemiş Municipality and Ödemiş Ornamental Plants Producer Union, Republican People's Party (CHP) High Disciplinary Board (YDK) Member and İzmir Deputy Mahir Polat, Ödemiş District Governor Fatih Aksoy, Beydağ Mayor Feridun Yılmazlar, Güzelbahçe Mayor Mustafa İnce, council members, headmen, producers and citizens were also present.
In his opening speech, the President referred to the Second Century Economics Congress to be organized by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality. Tunç Soyer, gave information about the economic vision that the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his companions brought to life 100 years ago after the War of Independence. Stating that the farmers, workers, traders and industrialists came together in İzmir to determine the economic policies of the new state, Metropolitan Mayor Soyer reminded that in the following years, they became dependent on imports due to wrong agricultural policies.
“Agricultural policy is a must”
Underlining that they are fighting both the climate crisis and poverty by saying "Another Agriculture is Possible", President Soyer noted that there is a need for an agricultural planning organization and policy in the country. President Soyer reminded that they protect the small producer, bring the producer together under the roof of cooperatives and unions, assuring the production and giving the producer a purchase and sale guarantee, “We are trying to plan the product pattern on the basin scale. Bovine breeds imported from abroad were influential in the decrease in water and the decrease in our underground resources. Long-term production policies were destroyed for short-term benefits. Because now silage corn has to be planted for those animals. However, we had a completely different production richness with cattle and small cattle breeding. Now we cannot give up on silage or that animal, but we are now sending dairy animals to slaughter. First of all, an agricultural planning institution should be established. There used to be the State Planning Organization, what happened? No. But an agricultural plan also disappeared. Today, the manufacturer does not know what to produce, when to produce, where to sell, how much to sell. He doesn't know anything. In short; This country needs an agricultural planning institution and policy. While we protect the small producer on the one hand, we try to make this planning as a local administration at the scale of the basin”.
Ornamental plants of Ödemiş will also take place in Flowera
Emphasizing the importance of competition for the grower to become stronger, President Soyer said that they will hold the Flowera İzmir Ornamental Plants, Landscape and Cut Flower Fair, which they will organize in 2023, on the same date as the Ödemiş Ornamental Plants Exhibition. Soyer said, “We want Ödemiş's ornamental plants to meet more guests from all over the world. In 2026, we earned the right to host the world's Botanical EXPO as İzmir. We are already making intensive preparations,” he said.
“We live like a fish in the sea without knowing it”
President Soyer also said, “Really, this sector continues to exist with great difficulties and troubles. VAT and incentives were mentioned, but in fact, this sector is one of the lifebloods of agriculture and one of the titles with the most important export potential. We will continue to support and protect it as much as we can. Never let anyone darken the neck. There is a solution to all the troubles in this fertile land. It is possible for all of these to change. Another agriculture, another Turkey is possible. It is possible for all of us to live with much more peace and a much higher quality of life.”
The goal is to have a say in Europe
Emphasizing that the Küçük Menderes Basin should be appreciated, Mayor of Ödemiş, Mehmet Eriş, said: “We have around 2 producer brothers in the place where manual labor is produced. There are 40 thousand people indirectly living in these production places. It's such a big industry. It is in question that we move Ödemiş, which is the center of ornamental plants in every field, much further by joining forces. Our cooperatives have accomplished this very well. We are trying to do these with the highest level of our current strength. We struggle to be a leader without alternatives. Unfortunately, we have a VAT problem. We don't want too much. It is enough to be a little above the VAT taken from the diamond. Our product is more valuable than a diamond. This is how we can preserve the products of plants that clean our lungs. Our goal is clear; We want to have a say in Europe, not in Turkey," he said.
“We live in the most fertile land in the world”
Ödemiş District Governor Fatih Aksoy also said, “I would like to thank those who have contributed to the success of this exhibition every year. Küçük Menderes Basin is one of the most important basins not only in our country but also in the world. We live in the most fertile land in the world. We are in the region where hardworking and productive people live. This basin will continue to serve the country's economy and local people for many years.
Muammer Ardicak, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ödemiş Ornamental Plants Producers Union, gave information about the sector and said: “When we look at Anatolia from here, we see that many regions are more treeless. Many people may not know, but ornamental plants and tree groups absorb the polluted air in nature and exhibit the clean air. We need to plant more plants, trees and groups of trees for those who come after us.”
Thanks for the support from the manufacturer
Savaş Akcan, President of the Ornamental Plants Producers Sub-Union, said, “It is very important that this exhibition has become traditional. We are trying our best to make this exhibition permanent. We thank the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and Ödemiş Municipality for their support in this struggle.” Referring to the problems of the sector, Akcan said, “We are struggling with a VAT problem of 18 percent. There is no 18 percent VAT on any item of agriculture," he said. Akcan also underlined that they could not get enough support from the state.
The exhibition will host its visitors at the Ödemiş Municipality Fairground until 6 November.
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