As local weather change influences international climate patterns, specialists warn that the planting and harvest schedules for agricultural merchandise in Türkiye might should be adjusted.
Professor Ismet Başer, head of the Field Crops Department at Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University’s Faculty of Agriculture, shared his insights with Anadolu Agency (AA) relating to the results of local weather change on Türkiye’s agricultural calendar.
Başer highlighted that of the world’s 4.8 billion hectares of agricultural land, just one.5 billion hectares are cultivated. In Türkiye, there are roughly 382 million hectares of land with agricultural potential, however merely 23.5 million hectares are presently underneath cultivation. This discrepancy arises from the results of local weather change, which is quickly shrinking agricultural areas as they offer option to different land makes use of.
To fight this alarming pattern and safeguard Türkiye’s agricultural future, Başer emphasised the need of adapting farming practices to altering local weather circumstances. He predicted that local weather change will carry ahead the harvest dates for crops, significantly summer season crops, by no less than a month.
Moreover, he expressed issues that if local weather change continues unabated, sure crops, resembling rice, corn, sugar beets and clover, might face restrictions, particularly in irrigated areas. He underlined that the patterns and varieties of summer season crops may endure important transformations.
Başer said that “If the heat continues with drought, sunflower cultivation in the Thrace region will be restricted in the coming years. There is a possibility that it will shift to other regions. Climate change predominantly affects summer crops in Thrace. We need to transition to early varieties, which are in high demand.”
Furthermore, he famous {that a} shift towards earlier planting could also be essential. Traditionally, farmers had been suggested to plant late as a result of illness issues, however drought circumstances push for earlier planting. In areas like Thrace, with excessive drought, it’s anticipated that extra drought-resistant crops will probably be launched into the manufacturing cycle inside three to 5 years.
Başer additionally identified that modifications in precipitation patterns have led to important yield losses, particularly in key crops grown in central and southeastern Türkiye, in addition to the Thrace area.
To mitigate the influence of local weather change on agricultural productiveness, Başer supplied a variety of strategies. Planning agriculture regionally is crucial and farmers ought to think about practices like direct sowing and minimal tillage the place soil circumstances enable it. Focus on winter planting must be inspired in areas with lighter soil. The promotion of drought-resistant plant varieties can be a crucial technique.
Expanding using technological infrastructure for monitoring climate-related parameters resembling drought, temperature and humidity may help farmers make knowledgeable choices. Soil construction maps in drought-prone areas can assist in choosing essentially the most appropriate crops. Additionally, embracing biodiversity and tapping into the wealthy range of plant species could be a highly effective instrument in combating the challenges posed by international local weather change.
Source: www.dailysabah.com