Antalya Governor Hulusi Şahin emphasized new agricultural opportunities with climate change

In his speech at the meeting held at Antalya Commodity Exchange, Antalya Governor Hulusi Şahin stated that the water, soil, temperature and climate in the city have changed in the last 30 years.

Stating that climate change also creates new agricultural opportunities in some areas, Şahin said:

"30 years ago, there were harsher winters and Antalya did not know much about exotic fruit farming, which has become a serious economy today. But today, with the climate becoming softer and warmer, a new agricultural opportunity has arisen, and Antalya is making good use of this opportunity. We have to manage this change somehow. It is obvious that things have changed, whether positive or negative."

Expressing that greenhouses in the city also need to adapt to change, Şahin noted that the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry has initiated a study on the transformation of greenhouses in the city.

Pointing out that the new agricultural model should be shaped with the understanding of smart agriculture and sustainability, Şahin said, "The key is to manage energy and water well. There are now modern solutions for this. We will transform all our agricultural production into a new type of agriculture within a certain calendar. In this context, we should be able to say that we will use renewable energy, water harvesting, smart water use, and pesticides and fertilizers more intelligently." he said.

Touching on the waste that reaches the sea from rivers, Şahin said that the seas are precious and if they are lost, agriculture will also be affected.

Şahin also noted that agricultural production types should be evaluated in their entirety.

The council started working on a permanent legacy

President of Antalya Agricultural Council and President of Antalya Commodity Exchange, Ali Çandır said that Antalya is a very important city for Türkiye with its agricultural production.

Emphasizing that soil, water and natural resources must be protected in order to carry this power into the future, Çandır continued his words as follows:

"COP31 does not only mean hosting a large organization. It is of great importance to us that the world comes to Antalya, as well as what kind of legacy Antalya will leave this great meeting with. Food security, sustainable and resilient food systems, transformation of the agricultural sector, water and drought are among the constant priorities of COP31. Therefore, we have a very important advantage for both Antalya and our agricultural sector. However, we need concrete suggestions to turn COP31 into a permanent legacy for Antalya's agriculture. We need it."

Çandır stated that, as a council, they have started working for a permanent legacy.

Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ATSO) President Yusuf Hacısüleyman, Agriculture and Forestry Provincial Director Şakir Fırat Erkal, sector representatives and business people attended the meeting.