Turkey's drought hit grain crops

The wheat and barley sowing season in Turkey has been delayed due to insufficient rainfall, and many farmers have been unable to plant the crops due to drought This was stated by Şemsi Bayraktar, president of the Union of Chambers of Agriculture of Turkey (TZOB). Bayraktar noted that the effects of climate change due to reduced rainfall, natural disasters, higher temperatures and drought are felt most in the agricultural sector. According to him, climate change is leading to decreased quality and yield, higher production costs, warmer and less rainy conditions, increased plant diseases and pests, and reduced crop diversity. He warned that the amount of usable water per capita has significantly decreased due to the population growth in Turkey. Another structural problem is underinvestment and inefficiency in irrigation, Bayraktar said. “The drought has not only affected agricultural productivity, but also forced farmers to abandon planting certain crops. The ...