The Harvest Date Could Be Moved Forward Due to Climate Change

Prof. Dr. İsmet Başer, Head of Field Crops Department at Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Faculty of Agriculture, stated that due to climate change, the planting and harvest dates of crops grown in Turkey could be moved forward. Climate change's impact on Turkey's agricultural calendar was evaluated by Başer, who noted that there are 4.8 billion hectares of agricultural land in the world, with farming taking place on 1.5 billion hectares of it. Başer indicated that in Turkey, approximately 382 million hectares could be classified as agricultural land, including pastures and meadows, with farming occurring on 23.5 million hectares of this total, and emphasized that agricultural areas are steadily shrinking due to climate change and the rapid conversion of farmed land to other uses. Stating that agriculture must be adapted to changing climate conditions to prevent this decline, Başer said, "Climate change will cause crop variations in Turkey in the future, and if temperatures continue to rise, we will move forward the planting dates of summer crops in particular, which means our harvest dates will also advance by at least one month." Sharing a projection that if climate change continues at the same rate, restrictions could be imposed on products such as rice, corn, sugar beets and alfalfa in irrigated areas, Başer noted that particularly the pattern of summer crops, and even the types themselves, could change. Başer continued: "Let me give an example: sunflower. If conditions continue as this year, sunflower cultivation may be restricted in the Thrace region in coming years. There is also a possibility of it shifting to other regions. Climate change is affecting summer crops more in Thrace. We need to switch to early-maturing varieties and plant without delay. In the past, we used to tell farmers 'Plant late' due to disease concerns, but this drought has forced us not to plant too late. In the future, in Thrace or in regions with excessive drought, drought-resistant plants should occupy a place in that region's production pattern within 3-5 years. For example, sorghum is now a crop grown in Africa, in other regions, and even in different parts of Turkey. We know it is drought-resistant."

"Over the past 5 years, we have experienced yield losses especially in major field crops"

Noting that compared to last year, total precipitation remained the same but precipitation distribution changed, Başer emphasized that the Thrace, Black Sea, and Central Anatolia regions received unexpected and above-average rainfall, and were the regions where the effects of climate change were most visible. Başer made the following assessments regarding climate change's impact on yields: "Wheat has a production of 20 million tons. For example, in 2019, due to drought that occurred particularly in Central and Southeastern Anatolia regions, our wheat harvest dropped to 17.5 million hectares. Last year, due to particularly low temperatures and sudden temperature drops in the Thrace region, significant losses occurred especially in durum wheat. This year, we again experienced significant drought damage in summer crops in the Thrace region. According to official figures, sunflower alone saw a yield loss of approximately 40 percent. Over the past 5 years, we have experienced yield losses in many products grown in fields, particularly in Central Anatolia, Southeastern Anatolia, Thrace, Aegean and Mediterranean regions."

"Drought-resistant varieties should also be encouraged"

Expressing that selecting appropriate plant types for the region is as important as improving soil quality in combating climate change, Başer made the following recommendations to reduce the pressure of climate change on agricultural production: "First, we need to plan in agriculture. We need to develop a crop pattern for each region. Second, in areas where soil structure is suitable, starting from Southeastern and Central Anatolia and even parts of Thrace, we should now farm our fields using direct seeding or minimum soil tillage. Besides this, in areas where drought could be a problem and where soil structure is somewhat sandier or lighter, we should shift from summer planting to winter planting. Climate may force us, but we should direct these areas toward winter planting. Drought-resistant varieties should also be encouraged. Another issue in these regions I mentioned is excessive soil tillage. We should avoid excessive soil tillage." Başer concluded with these words: "Biodiversity is very important and very beneficial, but if you don't use it, especially if you don't use it in agricultural production, we simply boast about it. We say 'Turkey is very rich in varieties.' I believe we are not using them sufficiently. We are the country holding the biggest card in global climate change. We should definitely benefit from these both in breeding and in the selection of plant types." Source