Journey Of Tobacco

Despite the decrease in the amount of production and the number of producers in Turkey in recent years, it continues to be an important agricultural product with the added value and employment opportunities it creates for the economy. Tobacco production in Turkey is a form of agriculture that requires a lot of labor, made according to traditional methods, as well as a form of agriculture that requires continuous work for most of the year and also using human power rather than machine power. The farmer, who is engaged in tobacco farming, does heavy work such as raising the seedlings, removing them, planting them in the field, hoeing, breaking, arranging, drying, preservation and balancing of the seedlings, together with their family members. It is an ongoing source of livelihood for approximately one hundred and fifty years and the share of tobacco cultivation in arable agricultural lands is around 60-70%. Tobacco farming is carried out on an average of 18-20 thousand decares in Celikhan and on 32 thousand decares of land in the whole of Adıyaman. While a high amount of tobacco is cultivated in Adıyaman Center, Çelikhan and Besni districts; Small amounts of tobacco are grown in Kahta, Samsat, Gölbaşı and Sincik districts. As of July 1, with the new regulation that came into force, it was forbidden to trade tobacco without obtaining a certificate of authorization or notification from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Negotiations were held with the relevant ministries to postpone the legal process, which was extended 3 times before, for another 6 months in order to achieve a healthy cooperative for the last time. Tobacco producers in Adıyaman have a lot of concerns about becoming a cooperative. They are hesitant to give the tobacco they collect from the field with great difficulty to the cooperatives at a very cheap price. The desire of the farmers is to pay the tax of the tobacco they produce and sell it legally all over the country. I witnessed and photographed this difficult and grueling journey of tobacco. Enjoy watching…