Şemsi Bayraktar, Chairman of the Union of Chambers of Agriculture of Turkey (TZOB), evaluated the effects of extreme heat on agricultural production.
Stating that climate change brings with it increases in temperatures, Bayraktar said, "Extreme heat stresses the plants and causes a decrease in yield. Extreme temperatures, which change the amount of precipitation and the duration of sunshine, increase the need for irrigation water and most importantly adversely affect human health. While extreme temperatures provide an increase in weeds, they increase the costs of agricultural control as they cause the emergence of plant diseases and pests. Stress caused by extreme heat also affects animals. While susceptibility to diseases increases in animals, yield decreases and milk production decreases."
"LOSSES MAY OCCUR ON MANY PRODUCTS"
Pointing out that the increase in temperatures is also reflected in sunflower and olive production, Bayraktar said that if this continues, there may be losses in many products.
Bayraktar pointed out that Thrace constitutes 40-45 percent of the sunflower production areas.
"Due to the low rainfall in the production season in the region, a decrease in yield is expected due to the extreme temperatures stressing the sunflower plant. Since olive trees are affected by the temperature in the Mediterranean Region, a decrease in yield is expected," Bayraktar added.
“FARMERS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO USE MODERN IRRIGATION TECHNIQUES”
Bayraktar also mentioned the mistakes in irrigation and made the following evaluations:
"Our country did not experience an agricultural drought in the 2022-2023 season, but extreme temperatures continue to threaten agricultural production. By developing plant varieties that are compatible with temperature changes, the effect of heat stress and decreases in yield can be prevented. In order to meet the future water demand, existing water resources must be protected and irrigable areas must be opened for irrigation. Therefore, our farmers should be encouraged to use modern irrigation techniques."