In Turkey, escalating cultivation expenses and climate volatility are prompting a shift among fruit and vegetable growers toward "safer" crop alternatives. According to Eurofruit, Turkish farmers are increasingly prioritizing wheat and corn over traditional crops like watermelons, tomatoes, and citrus fruits. Wheat and corn are deemed cost-effective among major crops, making them appealing during challenging periods.
Adverse weather and rising costs have also impacted vegetables, with crops such as cabbages, cauliflowers, broccoli, leeks, and spinach reaching unprecedented price levels over the winter. Mehmet Akın Doğan, the chamber of agriculture president in Adana's Yüreğir district, noted that watermelons and tomatoes have not yielded profits, while citrus crops have suffered from extreme heat and flooding. "These types of fruits and vegetables require a lot of labor and money," Doğan stated to Hurriyet Daily, as reported by Eurofruit. "Due to the combination of these problems, farmers are shifting to 'safe' crops such as wheat, corn and cotton."
In the Aegean region, farmers have reduced crop diversity, complicating income generation, according to Abdullah Şenol, chamber of agriculture president in İzmir's Turgutlu district. "Farmers could not sell their products in the previous season, while their debts increased," Şenol mentioned. "Due to the high costs of growing vegetables, some of the farmers are planting less costly wheat, while others will plant corn."
Globally, climate change challenges farmers' livelihoods, affecting crop viability and leading to potential disruptions in food supply. Adaptation strategies are emerging worldwide, such as Russian farmers incorporating lentils, peas, and sunflowers, and Spanish scientists developing drought-resistant crops.
Source: TCD