# Farmers pay for climate shift alone

> Turkey's farmers bear climate costs as cotton output drops 38% amid drought.
- Title: Farmers pay for climate shift alone · The Express Tribune
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: turkey, cotton, drought, water shortage, agriculture, climate adaptation, farmers, cotton output, soke region, irrigation costs, pakistan, The Express Tribune
- Source: The Express Tribune — https://tribune.com.pk/story/2639494/farmers-pay-for-climate-shift-alone
- Author: Reuters
- Published: 2026-11-09T22:18:41+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: turkey, cotton, drought, water shortage, agriculture, climate adaptation, farmers, cotton output, soke region, irrigation costs, pakistan, news
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Turkey's cotton production falls 38% due to drought and rising costs, with farmers covering adaptation expenses alone.