From The Express Tribune · Reuters · · 50s
Farmers pay for climate shift alone
Turkey's farmers bear climate costs as cotton output drops 38% amid drought.
In brief
Turkey's farmers bear climate costs as cotton output drops 38% amid drought. Turkey's cotton production falls 38% due to drought and rising costs, with farmers covering adaptation expenses alone. Originally reported by The Express Tribune.
Farmer Mehmet Kabak
Mehmet Kabak switched from cotton to wheat and sunflower due to drought.
Turkey's cotton output
Turkey's cotton output expected to fall 38% to 1.2 million metric tons in 2026.
Soke region drought impact
Soke region cotton acreage shrinks 60% due to drought and rising costs.
Water use crisis
Turkey's agriculture uses 79% of water with 50% lost to inefficiency.
Farmer financial strain
Farmers face 40-60% input cost increases despite damaged harvests.
Government support gap
Government support payments lag behind rising irrigation costs.
Water shortage reprieve
Turkey's water levels recovered but drought effects expected to last.
The short version
Turkey's cotton production falls 38% due to drought and rising costs, with farmers covering adaptation expenses alone.
