Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Ebubekir Gizligider, disclosed that a total of 36,738 producers suffered from frost damage in Manisa, mainly affecting grape production as well as cherries, peaches, apricots, quinces, pears, almonds, walnuts, plums, olives, and other product categories. Following the frost incident on April 10-11, Deputy Minister Gizligider visited Manisa to assess the damage on site. While inspecting the vineyards in Saruhanlı, Gizligider listened to the concerns of the producers. During a press conference, Deputy Minister Gizligider announced the decisions taken regarding the disaster, stating, “I would like to convey the get well wishes of our President and Minister. We experienced the most significant disaster in recent years. This frost incident was most severe in our province of Manisa. By midnight on April 10, a total of 34 provinces, including Manisa, experienced this disaster. Between 01.00 and 08.00 on April 10, some areas saw temperatures drop as low as minus 3 degrees. 17 districts were affected. Other provinces in Turkey experienced temperatures as low as minus 17. Saruhanlı is our most severely affected district. We faced this challenge mainly in low-lying areas.” Gizligider emphasized that in areas near the Gediz River where cold air accumulates in depressions, more intensive reporting is available. He mentioned, “Our Governor of Manisa, our MPs, and the teams of the agriculture and forestry directorates have been assisting citizens since the occurrence of the disaster. Even before the incident, on April 8, we shared the meteorological data we received with our producers via messages. We continued to provide this information through social media as well. Manisa has estimation and early warning systems in place. They were also activated. A comprehensive effort was made to minimize potential damages. We will have a closer look at the final results from next week onwards as the frost needs to thaw. We have 184 technical staff members at the Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry in Manisa. They all got into the field and started damage assessment work in the early hours of the morning. Immediately after, 140 TARSİM experts also went to the fields. We obtained some data, albeit temporary, regarding Manisa. According to our initial assessment, in an area of ​​812,681 hectares, primarily focusing on grapes, as well as cherries, peaches, apricots, quinces, pears, almonds, walnuts, plums, olives, a total of 36,738 producers suffered frost damage.”

“INSURANCE COVERAGE IN VINEYARDS IS 54%” Deputy Minister Gizligider continued by stating: “In Manisa, 12,820 farmers insured 276,589 hectares under frost insurance. Our insurance coverage rate in vineyards in Manisa is 54%, well above the national average. In Saruhanlı, this rate has reached 75%, making it the district where we have been most severely impacted. 11,946 producers have been affected on 259,181 hectares of land. TARSİM’s damage assessment process is currently undergoing temporary expert evaluation. This temporary evaluation refers to the initial assessment made right after the damage occurred. With the definitive expert evaluation, payments are expected to take place in July and August, once the development of the products is completed. These payments will, hopefully, be made two months prior, just like in Çukurova.” He called on producers to obtain agricultural insurance, stating, “Don’t ask how often frost occurs. Just as we drive vehicles and have compulsory traffic insurance, and we care dearly for our vehicles, these vineyards are the bread of our children. We provide support for hail insurance packages for grape producers, covering half of the state insurance premiums or about 70%. There is no guarantee that such disasters will not happen again. Another additional support is that we provide support for misting, turbines, and shading equipment, offering a 25-35% premium subsidy. Rural development subsidies can be covered up to 50% by the state.”

“NECESSARY MEASURES WILL BE TAKEN” Gizligider mentioned that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was informed about the frost incident from the very beginning and went on to say, “Parliament established a committee with the participation of all parties. On Tuesday, the President announced it to the public after the Cabinet meeting. It is essential to register with the Farmer Registration System (ÇKS), this is crucial for us. I am saying legally that if someone is not registered with ÇKS, then that person is not a farmer. The state has pledged to cover the expenses incurred by farmers who do not have agricultural frost insurance, namely within the TARSİM scope, in proportion to the extent of the damage suffered by their crops. The state says, ‘Yes, I am with you.’ But this should not be perceived as ‘The state will cover it anyway.’ The ultimate precaution is insurance. Producers who do not have insurance within the TARSİM scope should also visit the district and provincial agriculture directorates and say, ‘When you came, maybe there was no damage, but we now have such an assessment. Please conduct an inspection on-site just like us.’ Until the evaluations are completed, follow the guidance of the designated personnel of the provincial and district directorates. Later, we would like this warning to be taken into account to ensure no shortcomings or legal issues regarding compensation due to a lack of damage in the future. It is not just about assessment, not just about compensation for the damage; we are obligated to look ahead. Ensuring the continuity of production is paramount for us. We will take new measures concerning this matter. Together with our Parliament, we will enact new legislation. We need to be prepared for whatever comes next.”