TÜGİS: Climate Change Pushes Agriculture and Water Security to Critical Point

Turkchem 26 Feb 2026 41 2 dk okuma

In recent years, rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and drought spells have been weakening predictability in agricultural production. As production planning is shaped around water availability, the pressure on yield and quality increases whenever the amount and timing of water changes. TÜGİS (Turkish Food Industry Employers' Union) has brought the issue to the agenda, emphasizing that addressing climate change within the agriculture-water axis is critical for food supply security.

In recent years, rising temperatures, irregular precipitation patterns and drought waves have weakened predictability in agricultural production. As production plans are shaped around water availability, changes in water quantity and timing increase pressure on yield and quality. TÜGİS (Turkey Food Manufacturers' Federation), has brought the issue to the agenda by emphasizing that addressing climate change through the lens of agriculture and water is critical for food supply security.

Changes in rainfall patterns and extended warm periods are increasing risk at the first link of the chain stretching from farm to table. Kaan Sidar, Chairman of the TÜGİS Board of Directors, speaking on the subject, underlined that discussing climate change means discussing the future of food, the continuity of production and Turkey's water security.

Sidar stated, "According to data from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the annual per capita available water volume in our country stands at 1,310 cubic meters. This level falls within the range defined as 'water stress' according to international indicators. Furthermore, approximately 77 percent of the water used is allocated to agricultural irrigation. In other words, we cannot speak of lasting resilience in the food system without managing water more efficiently in agriculture."

Precipitation fell 29 percent in 2025
Kaan Sidar, Chairman of the TÜGİS Board of Directors, said, "Discussing climate change means discussing the future of food, the continuity of production and Turkey's water security," and added, "Our country experienced the hottest period in recent years in 2024 with an average temperature of 15.6°C. In the 2025 water year, unfortunately precipitation declined by 29 percent compared to the previous year. This situation means that risk has increased at the very beginning of the chain stretching from farm to table, namely in soil and water. According to data from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the annual per capita available water volume in our country stands at 1,300 cubic meters. This level falls within the range defined as 'water stress' according to international indicators. Furthermore, approximately 77 percent of the water used is allocated to agricultural irrigation. In other words, we cannot speak of lasting resilience in the food system without managing water more efficiently in agriculture."

"Modernization in agricultural irrigation must accelerate"
Sidar stated that measures to be taken against climate risks must be concentrated in three areas:
"First, we must accelerate modernization initiatives that will increase efficiency in agricultural irrigation and align production plans with water availability. In the supply chain, we must strengthen models that distribute risk more equitably between producers and industry, are data-driven and minimize losses from the start. On the industry side, it is important to increase investments based on regular measurement and improvement in areas such as water footprint and recovery."