The Konya Plain, known as the granary of Turkey, has experienced a prosperous harvesting period due to the spring rains. In the plain, there has been an increase of 400 thousand tons in wheat and 200 thousand tons in barley harvest compared to the previous year.
In Konya, where 67 percent of the total area is utilized for agricultural purposes, production takes place in a cultivation area of 2.2 million hectares.
The concern for a decrease in yield due to the low snowfall during the past winter season was replaced by a bountiful season with the arrival of spring rains. In the fertile period experienced in the plain, barley cereal harvesting has concluded, while wheat harvesting has been completed to a rate of 95 percent.
Noting an increase in wheat and barley yields during the harvesting period compared to previous years, Burak Kırkgöz, the President of the Konya Branch of the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers, remarked, "The rainfall has been good, which also led to our farmers taking better care of their fields. Because adequate rainfall is the greatest assurance of increased yield. As a result, our farmers increased their use of fertilizers and enhanced maintenance on their fields. When all these factors came together, we naturally observed an increase in the harvest."
Offering advice to farmers engaged in irrigated agriculture, Kırkgöz stated, "Currently, there is an excessive heatwave being experienced across Turkey. These temperatures exceeding the seasonal norms are causing stress in plants. During these times, it's important for our farmers to be more cautious with their irrigation practices. When necessary, they should consider reducing the irrigation duration and narrowing the intervals between irrigation sessions. We recommend that, during these periods, they perform irrigations more frequently with shorter intervals."
