The theme of the first day at COP31 is food, agriculture and health

The 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is the most important climate summit in the world and where 196 countries come together at the same table for climate action, started today in Antalya COP31 Area. Within the scope of the 12-day conference, a theme was determined for each day. 'Food, Agriculture and Health' on 9 November, 'Energy and Transport' on 10 November, 'Zero Waste' on 11 November, 'Resilient Cities and Built Environment' on 12 November, 'Finance and Trade' on 13 November, 'Children, Youth, Education and Skills' on 14 November, 'A Breath in Antalya' on 15 November, 16 November. 'Industry, Science and Technology' events will be held on 17 November, 'Ocean, Seas, Nature and Land Use - Rio Synergy', 'Human and Social Development' on 18 November, 'Imece: Strengthening Implementation' on 19 November, Final Negotiations in the Blue Zone on 20 November, and 'Financing and Incentives Day' in the Green Zone.

FIRST DAY THEME: FOOD, AGRICULTURE AND HEALTH

Within the scope of the first day's theme, 'Food, Agriculture and Health', Agropi Io Artificial Intelligence Supported Irrigation Automation System was introduced by the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSİ). The system allows determining the amount of water needed for agricultural irrigation by using technology. Irrigation processes can be managed automatically thanks to soil moisture sensors, weather data and technologies that track the water needs of plants. Thus, it is aimed to increase agricultural productivity while preventing unnecessary water consumption.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE PERFORMS IRRIGATION ACCORDING TO THE NEEDS OF THE SOIL

Unlike traditional irrigation methods, the system works according to the needs of the soil, not at certain hours. Temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind and soil properties are monitored with sensors placed in the greenhouse. Irrigation and fertilization processes are managed automatically in line with the data obtained. The system starts irrigation when the moisture content of the soil falls below the specified level and ends the process when the sufficient moisture level is reached. Irrigation is not done in rainy weather or if the wind exceeds the specified limit.

“LESS WATER, LESS FERTILIZER, MORE HARVEST”

Giving information about the system, DSI Computer Technologies and Information Systems Specialist Gülçin Yiğit stated that the main purpose of automation is to reduce water and fertilizer consumption and said, "We established a system on behalf of the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works. Our main purpose in this system is an artificial intelligence-supported irrigation system. The main purpose of our system is to reduce water consumption, reduce fertilizer consumption, and we try to use it by taking priority in every way that can benefit the customer, that is, the user himself." Stating that excessive irrigation and fertilization can cause both economic losses and loss of efficiency in agricultural production, Yiğit said, "So we reduce water and fertilizer, we get more nutrients, we collect more harvest. A plant, let's say, has become a tomato? The tomato says: 'I have a limit. I have to keep this humidity constant.' We are trying to make a lower value, an upper value and a system that will always keep the system constant. In other words, we reduce water and fertilizer, we get more nutrients, "We collect more harvest. Thus, we also protect water. Our water is less, our consumption is less and our harvest is more."

“THE AMOUNT OF RENEWABLE WATER PER CAPITA IN THE WORLD HAS DECREASED BY 7 PERCENT IN THE LAST 10 YEARS”