Date Added: 02 May 2023

Messages were issued on Monday to mark the 80th anniversary of the Cyprus Turkish Farmers’ Association.

President Ersin Tatar and the Minister of Agriculture and Natural resources issued messages celebrating the association’s anniversary.

In his message marking the 80th anniversary of the Cyprus Turkish Farmers Association, President Ersin Tatar said that the mission taken on by the Turkish Cypriot farmers 80 years ago not only formed the foundations of the existence of the Turkish Cypriot people but also helped them look into the future with pride.

He pointed out that Turkish Cypriot farmers had been forced to leave the joint association created with Greek Cypriots on May 1, 1943, only a year after having set up the bi-communal organisation.

“The story of the creation of the Cyprus Turkish Farmers’ Association was one of the first sprouts of the national struggle. The seeds of hope had been sown with 72 delegates and a 15-member board of directors created from representatives from all across the country,” Tatar said.

The president also said that the efforts of the farmers who tried to produce under difficult conditions could never been underestimated.

“The shortages experienced as a result of changing climate conditions, disease and war as the Russian-Ukraine conflict most recently demonstrated, showed us once again the importance of agriculture,” he added.

Tatar concluded by paying his respects to the association’s former and late founding members.

The Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources in his message said that he was proud of the level reached by the association which had been formed on May 1, 1943 by 56 farmers who had joined forces.

Pointing out that the country’s farmers experienced difficulties from time to time, Oğuz said, “Nevertheless our farmers’ struggle to produce on this island continues. I would like to use this occasion once again to congratulate the Cyprus Turkish Farmers’ Association on its 80th anniversary of its establishment.