10.04.2025 15:10
With the publication of the presidential appointment decisions in the Official Gazette, a total of 140 names were appointed to 10 different boards, while some of the names on the list became a topic of discussion. The appointment of Ramazan Bingöl, the owner of Ramazan Bingöl Et Lokantası, as a member of the Agriculture and Food Policies Board received a reaction from the CHP, stating, "Agriculture is the business of farmers, not kebab shop owners."
CHP Deputy Chairman Erhan Adem reacted to the appointment of Ramazan Bingöl, the owner of Ramazan Bingöl Meat Restaurant, to the Presidential Agriculture and Food Policies Board.
CHP Deputy Chairman Erhan Adem stated, "President Erdoğan appointed Ramazan Bingöl, the owner of Ramazan Bingöl Meat Restaurant, as a member of the Agriculture and Food Policies Board. A kebab shop owner now has a say in the agricultural high council of this country. This is not a joke, not a caricature. This is a clear summary of the perspective of those who govern the country towards agriculture. For them, merit is not the principle, loyalty is. With this mindset, this understanding, and this lack of seriousness, not even the future of agriculture can be saved, let alone its present. Agricultural policy cannot be entrusted to a kebab shop owner," he said.
"KEBAB SHOP OWNER HAS A SAY IN THE AGRICULTURAL HIGH COUNCIL"
CHP Deputy Chairman responsible for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Erhan Adem, made a written statement regarding the issue. Adem noted:
"While Turkey is experiencing one of the biggest collapses in its agricultural history, the message from the government is clear: 'We have lost hope in agriculture and farmers. We will now just create illusions.' The latest example is President Erdoğan appointing Ramazan Bingöl, the owner of Ramazan Bingöl Meat Restaurant, as a member of the Agriculture and Food Policies Board. Yes, you heard it right. A kebab shop owner now has a say in the agricultural high council of this country. This is not a joke, not a caricature. This is a clear summary of the perspective of those who govern the country towards agriculture. Because for them, agriculture is not the livelihood of the peasant, the fertility of the land, or a matter of food security; it is about how much the price of meat has gone up and how many grams of kebab have come in.
"AGRICULTURAL POLICY CANNOT BE ENTRUSTED TO A KEBAB SHOP OWNER"
What have we seen before? The Minister of National Education became a school owner. The Minister of Tourism became a hotel owner. The Minister of Health became a hospital owner. Now it is the kebab shop owner's turn. He is now a member of the Agriculture Board. So does this appointed person have any academic or field experience in agriculture, livestock, climate crisis, food security, or cooperatives? Of course not. But what does it matter, right? For them, merit is not the principle, loyalty is. At this point, we clearly state: With this mindset, this understanding, and this lack of seriousness, not even the future of agriculture can be saved, let alone its present. Agricultural policy cannot be entrusted to a kebab shop owner.
That is exactly why we are in Mersin today. Because we seek agriculture not in the palace kitchen, but in the peasant's land. Rural development arises from the production power of the farmer, not from the restaurant menu. Against a mentality that plunders agriculture with these appointments, we must establish a popular agricultural model that rises from the grassroots. This is an open call to the CHP metropolitan municipalities and their Agricultural and Rural Services Departments: The real agricultural policy of this country is now in your hands. Supporting farmers, revitalizing cooperatives, and prioritizing food sovereignty by expanding and disseminating all local projects is the greatest duty of the homeland today. We will continue to stand by the producer, the peasant, and the young farmer at every step of this struggle. Agriculture is not the business of a kebab shop owner; it is the business of farmers. We will no longer allow you to deceive this country."