The importance of the farmer emerged once again

Prof. Dr. Ahsen Işık Özgüven, the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies, Cyprus International University spoke within the scope of the World Farmers Day and stressed that, in this difficult period due to COVID-19 pandemic, the contribution of farmers to the economy and the importance of food production, which is the basic need for the whole world, emerged once again.

It was explained by Özgüven that “a job which is not done according to the work schedule in the conditions of that day will lead to a decrease in efficiency and quality or no product can be obtained”, so the farmers continue their daily activities during the coronavirus pandemic.

Prof. Dr. Özgüven reminded that the society should be fed for its vital activities under all circumstances and “food hygiene is also an important issue along with production, from the seed until it reaches to the consumers’ tables”. Furthermore, Özgüven warned that countries that are not self-sufficient and have inadequate food sources including hygiene may face hunger and food deficiency in cases of disasters such as the coronavirus, so “for this reason, it is important to support farmers in all areas of agricultural production in TRNC”.

Prof. Dr. Özgüven drew attention to the fact that agriculture is an area that will become even more important shortly and added that“according to a scientific data, energy and food supply will be the two biggest hazards waiting for humanity, which has doubled in the last fifty years all over the world, and is expected to be doubled again soon”.

Agriculture is an indispensable sector for all countries, regardless of the level of welfare. “The way to healthy nutrition and development is through quality products including not only production but also food safety. The producer is among the first to provide this,” said Özgüven.