Within the scope of our project, a Local Policy Dialogue Meeting was held in Kemalpaşa, one of İzmir's major agricultural production centres.
At the meeting, attended by cherry and grape growers, cooperative representatives and the project team, the impacts of climate change on agricultural production, rising input costs, marketing problems and the expansion of precision farming practices were discussed.
Producers stated that changing weather conditions have negative effects on product quality and yield, and that rising costs of fertiliser, pesticides, energy and labour are making the production process more difficult. Climate-related risks, disease pressure and labour costs, particularly in cherry and grape production, were among the main problems highlighted.
The meeting emphasised that precision farming practices such as water-saving sensor systems, fertilisation based on soil analysis, digital disease and pest monitoring and the integration of meteorological data into production processes offer important opportunities for the region. However, it was noted that for these technologies to become widespread, producers need to be provided with training, technical support and financial support.
Participants also stated that young people moving away from agriculture poses a significant risk for farming in the region, and drew attention to the need to strengthen producers economically and to make access to digital farming tools easier.
The meeting contributed to the development of local proposals that will increase the capacity to adapt to climate change in Kemalpaşa, support producers and expand precision farming practices.
