Turkish Farmers Face Crop Losses as Türkiye Hosts COP31

Turkish farmers are struggling to adapt to severe water scarcity and rising input costs as the country hosts the COP31 climate summit in Antalya. Following the worst drought in over 50 years, seed cotton output is projected to drop 38% in 2026. In regions such as Söke, farmers are switching to less water-intensive crops like wheat and sunflower to survive the shortage.

To address the crisis, the Government of Türkiye has earmarked 174 billion lira ($3.5 billion) for agricultural irrigation investments in next year's budget. However, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry stated that private sector support is necessary to supplement state funding. Private lenders, including İşbank and Şekerbank, have introduced specialized financing for water management, though many farmers cannot access these loans due to a lack of collateral or the risks of renting land.

The economic stakes are high, with the World Bank estimating that a 10% reduction in water supply could cost Türkiye 6% of its GDP, or approximately $50 billion. International agencies at COP31 are emphasizing the need for direct financial support to reach the farm level to ensure successful adaptation.