Agricultural production and COVID-19 disease in Turkey: emergent contradictions and solidarities

by Deniz Pelek

Turkey announced its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on 11 March 2020, relatively later than many other countries.  Several precautions were taken gradually for preventing the spread of the virus. Schools and universities were closed and distance education started; a travel ban was imposed to most countries where the number of COVID-19 cases was high; bars, cafes, gyms, night clubs and libraries were closed; sports tournaments and leagues were postponed; entry and exit to 30 metropolitan cities and Zonguldak were banned; using mask in public places became mandatory; a total curfew was imposed to those who are over the age 64 or chronically ill and then to those who are under the age 20, to name a few. Although, in a month, the number of COVID-19 cases jumped to 82,329, at the time of writing this article (18 April 2020), the Turkish government had not announced a national quarantine. The government’s apathy is reflected in its position to keep the business world running by letting 20-65 age group be at work. Even the government published an additional regulation that allows free movement exceptionally to the workers aged 18-20.[1] Reinforcing its interests in safeguarding the financial interests at a time of national and global crisis, the Turkish government declared only a two-day curfew for two weekends (11-12 April and 18-19 April) in 31 cities.

Somewhat concomitantly, agriculture is not one of the core focal sectors of the Turkish government. The most concrete expression of support for agricultural producers has been the statement from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry that 75% of their cultivated seeds will be granted in 21 cities if they use the government-certified seeds.[2] The decision of supporting 21 cities excluded many regions. The largest proportion of producers consists of small and medium-scale farmers in Turkey. The state support for this population is essential in order to sustain their production cycle. Selective support policy in certain regions can cause depeasantization in other cities and Turkey’s agricultural production map may change in the short run.

The supported crops are wheat, barley, bean, lentil, maize, sunflower and rice. Several concerns have risen. The Ministry preferred to support only those crops for which mechanized cultivation is possible. Hence, if the crops which necessitate manual labour during harvest are chosen (for example, citrus fruits, other fresh fruit and vegetables) it is unclear whether they will be supported or not. This is an important issue since it affects seasonal agricultural employment. If seasonal agricultural migrant workers will not work due to the scarcity of the available temporary jobs, how they will earn their livelihoods emerge as an important problem.

In general, seasonal migrant workers are the most vulnerable group among rural communities plagued by problems of low wages and bad working and dwelling conditions. They usually stay in tents that are set up by themselves. During their temporary accommodation in these tents, they are susceptible to diseases due the lack of hygiene in water supplies, latrines and bathrooms.[3]  As a response to the pandemic, the Ministry of Interior published a regulation with regard to the employment of seasonal agricultural migrant workers in this year.[4] Accordingly, (i) they must receive a permission for traveling between cities, (ii) they should undergo a medical examination before the departure, (iii) the distance between tents should be at least 3 meters and their beds should keep 1.5 meters distance in tents. Whether these precautions are enough to prevent the spread of the virus under the given unhygienic lodging conditions is a looming question. Another concern related to agri-food supply is about available crop diversity in the market. Nutrition has become more important during the pandemic in both rural and urban areas since a possible reduction in fresh crops may trigger further health problems such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases.  

Although the COVID-19 period is relatively short in Turkey compared to many European and Asian countries, it has impacted the agrifood supply chain. Small producers experience difficulties to supply their crops in local markets due to the travel restrictions between cities. However, big supermarkets and food companies are easily getting food products and transport via logistics firms.[5] If the central and local authorities do not provide a counterweight to this skew, the national/multinational food companies will monopolize the agrifood supply chain between rural producers and urban consumers. On the other hand, there are promising solidarity examples which are worthy of note here. Many small consumer cooperatives in different cities are buying the crops from small producers who mostly practice environment friendly farming and sell these products to urban consumers without profit. Although the range of crops is limited, it partially satisfies the need in cities. These cooperatives have devised creative methods to circumvent the immediate problems such as keeping stocks open on specific dates and time and announcing opening hours on their Facebook pages. Yet others serve people by phone and deliver packages directly to their homes. Even as the government seems focused on safeguarding economic growth in urban areas, in these difficult times, these examples of solidarity provide a ray of hope towards bridging the gap between agricultural producers and urban consumers.

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[1] Hürriyet Newspaper, “20 Yaş Altı Sokağa Çıkma Yasağı Ne Zaman Bitecek?” Available online: https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/galeri-20-yas-alti-sokaga-cikma-yasagi-ne-zaman-bitecek-20-yas-alti-sokaga-cikma-yasagi-cezasi-nedir-41498118/3. Last accessed: 20.04.2020.

[2] Çiftçi-Sen, “Tohum desteği yetmez! Gıda egemenliği hemen şimdi.” Available online : http://www.ciftcisen.org/2020/04/09/tohum-destegi-yetmez-gida-egemenligi-hemen-simdi/?fbclid=IwAR0WIdJ5XJ5iMZ__vUb4TljM3a35by3iO5aVhcHdtttpcZEZq9S9TSbvJdk . Last accessed: 07.04.2020.

[3] Saniye Dedeoğlu, Türkiye’de Mevsimlik Tarımsal Üretimde Yabancı Göçmen İşçiler Mevcut Durum Raporu Yoksulluk Nöbetinden Yoksulların Rekabetine. Kalkınma Atölyesi, 2016.

[4] Dünya Newspaper, “Mevsimlik İşçiler için Yeni Önlemler Alındı.” Available online: https://www.dunya.com/sektorler/tarim/mevsimlik-isciler-icin-yeni-onlemler-alindi-haberi-466804. Last accessed: 15.04.2020.

[5] Çiftçi-Sen, “Tohum desteği yetmez! Gıda egemenliği hemen şimdi.” Available online : http://www.ciftcisen.org/2020/04/09/tohum-destegi-yetmez-gida-egemenligi-hemen-simdi/?fbclid=IwAR0WIdJ5XJ5iMZ__vUb4TljM3a35by3iO5aVhcHdtttpcZEZq9S9TSbvJdk . Last accessed: 07.04.2020.

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