Politicians: We not to accept policy of starvation, govt. must amend wheat price

The decision issued by the Syrian Interim Government on May 16th, setting the purchase price of a ton of first-grade durum wheat at 46,000 Syrian pounds, has sparked widespread anger among farmers and residents in North and East Syria.

In this context, parties affiliated with the Consultative Meeting organized protests on Thursday in several cities in Jazira region, rejecting the wheat price and demanding support for farmers and a price increase commensurate with production costs.

During the protest, Majdal Douko, representative of the People's Will Party in Qamishlo, stated, "We are protesting today against the low price of wheat. We demand an increase in the price because the low price harms farmers and leads to destroying agriculture. We don't want farmers to abandon their lands."

He added that farmers are already suffering from difficult living conditions, calling on the Interim Government to immediately amend the decision to ensure the protection of the agricultural sector.

For his part, politician Abdel Salam Mohamed explained that the actual cost of wheat production exceeds the price set by the government. He said, "The Ministry of Economy in the Interim Government set the price per ton at 46,000 Syrian pounds, but the actual cost ranges between 53,000 and 55,000 pounds, including the profit margin. Therefore, farmers deserve a price that guarantees them a decent living."

Abdel Salam stressed the necessity of raising the purchase price of wheat to reflect the economic reality and the rising costs of agricultural production.

Fatima Temmo; a member of the Kurdish Left Party in Syria, said, "We took to the streets today to raise our voices and declare our rejection of this starvation policy. It is a deplorable policy directed against the people and the farmers."

She added, "Farmers work day and night, year-round, to secure their families' needs, and today they face a policy that harms their livelihood. Therefore, we stand with the people and the farmers, and we will never accept this policy."

In closing, Fatima Temmo emphasized the urgent need to amend the decision to ensure that farmers can remain on their land and that agricultural production continues in the country.

ANHA