“The hazelnut orchards have aged.”
– Gardens, especially in the Eastern Black Sea region, are aging. Renewal and rejuvenation activities should be prioritized, and gardens that have lost their economic life should be replanted according to a specific plan. The identification and planning of garden renewals should be carried out in coordination with universities, research institutes, and provincial directorates of agriculture and forestry.
“Garden maintenance is inadequate.”
– In existing hazelnut orchards, a significant portion of producers live outside the production area, resulting in inadequate orchard maintenance services. Maintenance is one of the most important factors affecting hazelnut yield. Therefore, BÜGEM and TRGM must undertake the necessary work as soon as possible to ensure that maintenance services are provided by professional orchard maintenance companies.
– To increase hazelnut yield and quality, Provincial and District Directorates of Agriculture and Forestry, Chambers of Agriculture, and Universities should provide the necessary training on pruning, fertilization, weed control, disease and pest control, harvesting, and post-harvest processing. Traceability and continuous education centers should be established under the coordination of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and universities.
“The area-based support system should be changed.”
– The area-based support system has not increased productivity in hazelnuts. Alternative support systems can be implemented. If the area-based support system continues, a small portion of the funds (10%) should be allocated to the creation of demonstration model orchards aimed at increasing yield and quality.
“Storage should be done properly.”
– Under the coordination of TMO, the current storage capacity for hazelnuts and the need for storage facilities at the provincial level must be determined as soon as possible.
– To minimize product losses, storage standards (temperature, humidity, oxygen level) must be established and these minimum standards must be made mandatory for everyone who actually purchases.
– In addition to existing hazelnut storage facilities, “strategic storage” facilities must be established to ensure supply and demand stability within the country and in international markets.
– Licensed warehousing support should be expanded in favor of industrialists and traders. Furthermore, producers should be provided with easy access to credit under the ELÜS program.
– Implementing good agricultural practices to prevent losses in walnuts stored in warehouses will provide a marketing advantage.
– A project should be carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, TMO, universities, and civil society organizations to prevent product losses in warehouses where walnuts are stored in ordinary storage.
“The government’s hazelnut policy should be long-term.”
– Since Turkey’s total hazelnut production in both permitted and non-permitted areas can only meet domestic consumption and export demand, the legislation prohibiting hazelnut production (Council of Ministers Decision No. 2001/3267) should be amended to allow hazelnut production in all areas currently planted with hazelnuts.
– The state should determine its hazelnut policy for the long term and announce the intervention purchase price to the public at the end of May or beginning of June. The cost of hazelnut production should be determined according to the region, and the intervention price should be determined according to quality. The state should not intervene in the hazelnut market (hazelnut prices should be determined by the market), and if it does intervene, the intervention purchase prices should be determined in a way that does not disrupt market conditions.
– Instead of area-based support, a new support system that satisfies real producers should be adopted, which will fulfill conditions such as ‘rejuvenation of hazelnut orchards, establishment of standard orchards, increasing yield and quality, protecting soil and environment, organizing farmers, marketing hazelnuts through organizations, etc.’
– A hazelnut exchange, where hazelnuts are bought and sold under competitive conditions, should be established in suitable regions, and products should be stored under appropriate conditions to contribute to market stability.
– To prevent aflatoxin, one of the most significant problems in exports, early harvesting should be prevented, drying facilities should be expanded, and hazelnuts should be dried in these facilities.
“Production should be centralized, and land banking should be established.”
– The necessary steps must be taken to consolidate production and establish an economically viable scale of operation. Therefore, a land banking system should be established, contract farming and land leasing practices should be promoted, and producer organizations should be activated.
– Public support and public-private partnerships must be increased in terms of finance and legislation to spread and activate hazelnut R&D projects.
– Increasing and spreading licensed warehousing capacity and activating the product exchange is mandatory.
