In the past 50 years, temperatures in Turkey have increased by 1.5°C. Water resources have decreased by 25% annually, and 50% of agricultural lands are now under the threat of drought. Experts emphasize the need for urgent action to address this growing crisis.
Turkey's water and agriculture crisis is deepening. The striking data shared by expert Burcu Kösem highlights the urgent need for measures to safeguard the country's food security.
Key Figures:
- Annual rainfall in some regions of Turkey has dropped by up to 30%.
- Water resources are decreasing by an average of 25% each year.
- 40% of existing water resources are used in agriculture.
- 75% of agricultural production relies on irrigation.
Kösem emphasized the global scale of the crisis, stating, "The number of regions experiencing water scarcity reached 2.3 billion in 2023, and this figure is expected to exceed 3.5 billion by 2050."
With Turkey's average temperatures rising by 1.5°C over the past 50 years, and half of its agricultural lands threatened by drought, the importance of strategic planning for food security is becoming increasingly evident.