Growing mangoes in Greece is the latest bizarre climate change experiment as droughts become the norm

“Right there!” he exclaimed. For decades, this fertile land on the shores of the Ionian Sea has been mainly known for olives, in addition to watermelon and other crops. But even this part of Greece that sees more rain than other parts of the country is grappling with the effects of drought. After the warmest winter on record, Greece also experienced the hottest June and July since reliable data collection began in 1960. “There is no winter,” Adamopoulos, 38, told AFP, adding that his property has not received a drop of rain since March. “No water, no cultivation,” said the farmer, whose trees seem to grow right into the Ionian Sea. Most of Adamopoulos’ income currently comes from iceberg lettuce. But with increasingly arid seasons in sight, he may soon have to give up on some of his lucrative, yet water-intensive crops, such as watermelon. Adamopoulos is among a small number of Greek growers turning to tropical fruits — mangoes, avocados, lychees, cherimoya and macadamia nuts — ...