Yüreğir Agricultural Chamber President Doğan: “In the first 6 months, there was water scarcity and drought in Çukurova.”

Yüreğir Agricultural Chamber President Mehmet Akın Doğan stated that rainfall in Çukurova is expected to be less than anticipated in the first half of 2024, saying, “The region has experienced water scarcity and drought. Drought has increased agricultural irrigation needs, which in turn has raised farmers’ costs. Areas requiring irrigation, such as citrus orchards and corn fields, have been negatively affected by the water scarcity. The decrease in water resources has reduced crop productivity and led to a decrease in farmers’ incomes.”

Pointing out that producers in the agricultural capital of Turkey have had to face various challenges in the first six months of 2024, Yüreğir Agricultural Chamber President Mehmet Akın Doğan made statements regarding the problems and proposed solutions.

Drought and water scarcity

Yüreğir Agricultural Chamber President Doğan stated that rainfall in Çukurova has been less than expected in the first half of 2024, saying, “The region has experienced water scarcity and drought. Drought has increased agricultural irrigation needs, which has raised farmers’ costs. Areas requiring irrigation, such as citrus orchards and corn fields, have been negatively affected by the water scarcity. The decrease in water resources has reduced crop productivity and led to a decrease in farmers’ incomes. First and foremost, it is important to promote water management and drip irrigation systems. To cope with drought, effective use of water resources and the implementation of water-saving methods are necessary. State-supported grant programs and low-interest loans will help farmers establish these systems,” he said.

Increase in input costs

Doğan stated that the rise in costs of agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, seeds, fuel, and pesticides has significantly increased farmers’ production costs, saying, “The risk of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates has increased the costs of imported agricultural inputs, while the uncertainty created by the inflationary environment has diminished competitiveness in exports. Farmers’ profit margins have shrunk, creating economic pressure. The rise in input costs has made it difficult for farmers to make new investments and utilize technologies that increase efficiency in agricultural production. To reduce input costs, it is important to increase state support for fertilizers and other agricultural inputs and to encourage domestic production,” he said.

Marketing and sales issues

Noting that logistical problems in accessing markets for products and low product prices negatively affect farmers’ incomes, Doğan said, “Particularly in basic agricultural products, price fluctuations have occurred. The failure of agricultural products to reach the market in a timely manner and at reasonable prices has caused income losses for farmers, while consumers have also been negatively affected by this situation. Additionally, competition in export markets and compliance issues with standards have adversely affected farmers’ sales. It is necessary to improve the logistics infrastructure to facilitate access for products to the market and to create new markets abroad. Digital marketing platforms to be established in cooperation with the state and the private sector can help products reach a wider audience. In this way, farmers can find the opportunity to sell their products more easily and without losses,” he said.

Climate change

Doğan pointed out that the effects of climate change have led to uncertainties in the agricultural calendar and losses in the yield of some products, stating:

“Especially sudden weather changes have negatively affected the maturation processes of products. This year, a meteorological disaster occurred in the hottest June on record. Due to the air temperature reaching 43 degrees in the shade, not only people were affected by the extreme heat, but also plants, particularly melons, watermelons, and tomatoes. This situation has made it difficult for farmers to plan and has caused disruptions in agricultural production. If necessary measures are not taken to adapt to climate change, serious problems in agricultural production may arise in the long term. To adapt to climate change, early warning systems should be established, and climate-friendly agricultural practices should be encouraged. It is important for farmers to use resilient varieties against climate change and to adopt appropriate agricultural techniques. In this way, the negative effects of climate change can be minimized. As a result, the problems faced by farmers in Çukurova in the first six months of 2024 have had serious impacts on agricultural production. The measures to be taken and investments to be made to solve these problems can increase the agricultural production potential of the region and improve the economic conditions of farmers. Financial support programs for farmers should be increased. Microloans should be created, interest-free loans should be defined, and existing debts should be deferred without interest. For the sustainability of the agricultural sector and food security for future generations, farmers should be supported with positive discrimination.”