Turkey faces with drought risk
04 February 20142 min reading
Having not much rainfall in the autumn and winter months, Turkey faces with drought risk. It is stated that if the rainfall does not reach normal levels as of February, a crop loss of almost 50% can be occurred.
The fact that there hasn’t been much snow, which is important especially for winter wheat, brought Turkey against the risk of agricultural drought. Thus, eyes were turned on spring wheat rather than winter wheat. It is stated that Food, Agriculture and Livestock Ministry will wait spring for the possible drought situation that may affect agriculture and make an evaluation accordingly. In his statement to Milliyet; Agriculturalists’ Association of Turkey (TZD) Chairman Ibrahim Yetkin told that the rainfall decreased 50-75% compared to the previous year. Yetkin said; “The rainfall hasn’t been occurred according to the data so far. The planted seeds are dried. The germination hasn’t been occurred yet.” and he stated that particularly Thrace, Central Anatolia, Southeastern and Çukurova has been affected from the drought.
80% DROUGHT IN KONYA WHICH IS THEGRAIN STORAGE OF TURKEY
Drought is felt strongly in Konya which is the grain elevator of Turkey. It is stated that drought is felt on the 80% of the winter grain production fields where grain products such as wheat, barley and oat are grown. Making a statement on the subject, National Grains Council Executive Board Member Prof. Dr. Bayram Sade told that the rainfall starting from September as the beginning of grain cultivation season in Konya to the end of December occurred below 47% of normal level.
Sade said; “It is understood that 55-60 of winter grain cultivation fields are faced with the problems of non-germination and insufficient output and this situation still continues due to the climate conditions so far. It is possible to say that yield decrease with a rate of 20% is inevitable even if the drought conditions change. It is projected that this situation has reflected on the production of wheat, rye, oats and triticale as winter grain products in the form of 10% decrease as yet.
Articles in News Category