Justice and Development Party’s so-called drought decree aimed at aiding farmers affected by disastrous weather conditions is drawing criticism from agriculturalists who argue the new initiative does more harm than bring relief

FULYA ÖZERKAN
ANKARA - Turkish Daily News

The government‘s recent move to compensate farmers whose crops were hit by severe drought sparked internal debate over whether the decision was politically motivated ahead of the looming elections.

The agriculturalists told the Turkish Daily News yesterday that the move was too little too late, drawing attention to the timing of the new initiative launched by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which was warned months before the present disaster.

"The decree passed by the ruling party is entirely focusing on the July 22 elections and is nothing more than a vote-mongering attempt," Gökhan Günaydýn, head of the chamber of agricultural engineers, told the Turkish Daily News.

The AKP-backed decree aimed at aiding producers was published in the Official Gazette on Wednesday following its approval by Cabinet. Only select farmers registered at the ÇKS (Farmer Registry System) from 40 provinces growing wheat, barley, trefoil and vetch will benefit from the drought damage compensation under the new decree.