The sector explained itself to the CHP leader…   

CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu met with producers at Yalova Garden Inc. Kılıçdaroğlu listened to the problems and solutions proposed by plant producers and industry representatives at the Yeşilvadi Production Site and chatted with production workers.

VAT reduction is required for high added value…

Ümit Yalçın, Chairman of the Board of Yalova Garden Inc., paid tribute to the earthquake victim and expressed his satisfaction with Kılıçdaroğlu's visit to Yalova. He then turned the floor over to Kılıçdaroğlu and industry representatives. Addressing the issue of agricultural land and VAT in production, SASBÜD President Umut Sakarya continued: “We have gone through processes such as land allocation for the Yalova Agriculture-Based Economic Organized Industrial Zone, which was established in 2003. However, we cannot acquire 40% of the land, of which we acquired 60%. The reason is that the municipality takes this land as a plot and evaluates it on a land-based basis. Today, 90% of the land used for production is leased, and the average lease period is 5 years. Longer terms are needed for our products, and this applies to all regions. Yalova is a small region, 70% of which is forested. Developing land is a problem. Another issue is the VAT reduction. The inclusion of ornamental plants in our name creates a sense of luxury. However, we are engaged in high-value-added agriculture. From the perspective of the green agreement and green cities, these are valuable and essential products. We are not a luxury sector. The VAT needs to be permanently reduced from 18% to 8%. Because the reduction in VAT last year has a significant impact.” We saw the positive impact.''

Cheap land and long-term rental…

Abdullah Okul, stating that they have achieved a clustering unprecedented on TİGEM lands at Yalova Garden, said: “TİGEM has over 20 tenants across Turkey who lease it for projects, but none of them have a clustering model. We need cheap land and long-term leases. This would be the best incentive for us. We have a 750 million lira investment here, but we can't use it as collateral. We also need title deeds to secure loans from relevant banks. There's no other agricultural segment in Türkiye that provides as much employment, production, and exports as ornamental plant production. Ornamental plants are a sector, and 75 percent of its employees are women. The government needs to take this sector into consideration. It's not right for it to be listed under other field crops.”

Agricultural restructuring…

Following statements from industry representatives, Kılıçdaroğlu, discussing the problems and proposed solutions related to agriculture, said: “The establishment of an agriculture-based Organized Industrial Zone is also quite good. You said it hasn't been finalized yet, but we would love to see it. You mentioned that you're a sector with a current account surplus. When I saw this place, I felt like I was in a paradise. Regarding long-term leasing, what you're doing is very valuable. You're generating foreign currency and creating jobs. However, you can give hotel land for 49 years and get incentives on top of that. So why shouldn't you give it for 49 years? Let the conditions be set, and let it be leased as long as production continues. Ultimately, both producers, citizens, and the state will benefit. Ornamental plants are a very valuable sector. You boast about including women in employment. This isn't a simple matter; it demonstrates how well the sector is suited to and needs a female profile. My dear friends, there's no one who hasn't experienced flowers. We see it in both happy and sad times. You produce products that need to be produced and in demand. I wish all products could be produced in Türkiye. But I say that will happen when the time and place are right. VAT If we can do anything to end the distortion, we will do it. You submitted your request, stating that we don't have a department within the Ministry of Agriculture. The Ministry of Agriculture also needs to be restructured. You can't solve agricultural problems with this Ministry of Agriculture. We need to take it a step further and restructure all structural institutions in Türkiye.