Early planting in Edirne: Producers battle drought
Sunflower producers in Edirne suffered yield losses last year due to hot and dry weather. This year, they have begun early planting to avoid the risk of drought. Edirne Chamber of Agriculture President Hüseyin Arabacı stated, "Producers cannot afford to lose money for two consecutive years. I hope we receive good rainfall and achieve high yields. God willing, this negative situation will not happen again."
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In Edirne, Turkey's leading province for oilseed sunflower production, last year's hot and dry weather conditions parched the sunflower fields. While some producers in the region saw yields far below normal, some fields could not be harvested at all. Although snow and rain during the winter months revitalized the soil, producers have decided to plant their crops early this year. Planting, which usually takes place between late March and early May, has begun in the fields this year as temperatures have reached 20 degrees Celsius.
'WE EXPECTED RAIN BUT IT WAS NOT ENOUGH'
Edirne Chamber of Agriculture President Hüseyin Arabacı noted that producers were expecting heavy rainfall during the winter months, but sufficient precipitation did not occur. "The rain that fell did not cause problems for the planted crops, but the soil did not become saturated," Arabacı said, adding that receiving rain at regular intervals during the spring and summer could ensure good yields. "There is no need to be pessimistic yet; we must not lose hope," he said.
'WE ARE HOPEFUL, WE ARE EXPECTING RAIN'
Arabacı stated that planting preparations have begun as temperatures have reached 20 degrees. Expressing that producers are hopeful for this year's rainfall, Arabacı said, "I hope we receive rain at regular intervals so that our producers can cover their costs and achieve sustainable yields."
'WE HAD A BAD SEASON'
Producer İsmail Sancakçavuşu, who stated that they had a difficult season last year due to drought, said, "There is drought this year as well, but we are not hopeless. Our hope is to have a productive season once the rains arrive." Emphasizing that farming is a business of hope, Sancakçavuşu adopted an optimistic outlook, saying, "We will return to our old days within a few years."
'EARLY PLANTING IS UNDERWAY'
Sancakçavuşu stated that early planting this year would provide higher yields. "Early planting allows us to be less affected by the July heat. The weather is currently ideal for sunflowers; I hope this situation is temporary," he said.