DIRECT INCOME SUPPORT IN AGRICULTURE: TURKEY

Halis AKDER (METU)

It is hoped that in the short run the full package of agricultural reforms will accrue to Turkish Society in the form of lower food expenditures and more efficient public expenditures. In the long-term they may raise agricultural productivity and rural incomes. This involves the strengthening of the market signals, which will reduce economic distortions and support expenditures. DIS has its justification within this overall framework.

The size of the direct income payment should be independent of the volume of current or future production of specific agricultural commodities and level of specific inputs used. The size of direct income subsidies could have been fixed. Turkish government has prefered to relate it to acregage, under the assumption that its size is not at the immediate control of the farmer. There are no restrictions on the use of support-crop land. Except, only cultivated, agricultural land is eligible.