"Sustainable Agriculture Practices Must Be Prioritized"

"Emphasis Should Be Placed on Sustainable Agricultural Practices" ANKARA (AA)- Duru Bulgur Board Chairman Emin Duru, pointing to a 30 percent decline in wheat yields in Turkey, stated: "In our country, where the drought problem increases with each passing year, we need to place greater emphasis on sustainable and proper agricultural practices, while better valuing our food." In a written statement, Duru drew attention to rising global temperatures due to climate change, which have made drought the most pressing problem worldwide, and noted that drought and rapidly depleting water resources are placing enormous pressure on agricultural production. He recalled that when looking at the global drought map, the risk in wheat and grain production has grown. Noting that the increase in export taxes in Russia, the world's largest wheat exporter, represents an important example of this risk, Duru said: "Based on this reality, in our country where the drought problem increases year after year, we need to place greater emphasis on sustainable and proper agricultural practices, while better valuing our food." Pointing out that increasing drought year after year in Turkey has reduced wheat yields by an average of 30 percent, Duru said that shifting to a basin model in agriculture is essential for more efficient use of water. Noting the mistake of providing incentives for crops requiring more water, such as corn, in regions where cereals and legumes can be grown with relative ease, Duru expressed the following: "Despite increases in cultivated areas, drought and improper agricultural practices are putting the future of wheat production in great jeopardy. In Turkey, we must stop producing certain crops in unsuitable locations in order to use water in more valuable areas. For example, 1 kilogram of cotton is produced with 12 tons of water. With this amount of water, we could produce 12 tons of wheat. Looking at field data in Karaman province, we see that corn requires an average of 192 hours of irrigation during its formation process. For wheat, this period is limited to just 36 hours. As this difference shows, improper crop selection, particularly regarding groundwater depletion, is an extremely decisive factor."