Cotton from Southeastern Anatolia will be showcased at COP31

The project, carried out under the coordination of the GAP Regional Development Administration (BKİ) under the Ministry of Industry and Technology and in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), aims to increase production efficiency and reduce agricultural inputs in the Southeastern Anatolia Region, where more than half of Türkiye's total cotton production is realized.

Within the scope of the project that has been implemented in the region for 5 years, a production model in accordance with world cotton standards has been implemented in an area of ​​more than 500 thousand decares. Agricultural engineers, agricultural consultants and field control staff support farmers during the production process.

Within the scope of the project, which saved 30 percent in fertilizer use and 45 percent in irrigation, a 20 percent increase in efficiency was achieved.

The project, which aims to increase resilience against the negative effects of climate change on agricultural production, also aims to protect soil health and biodiversity.

"2 thousand 100 producers are implementing the Good Cotton Project"

GAP RDA President Hasan Maral told the AA correspondent that thanks to the project, important results were achieved in the fertile plains of the region.

Stating that the project made a significant contribution to cotton production, especially in Şanlıurfa and Diyarbakır plains, Maral stated that efficient results were achieved with less use of fertilizers, pesticides and water.

Explaining that studies are being carried out to spread the project to larger areas, Maral said:

"As GAP Regional Development Administration, we have been implementing an umbrella program under the name of integrated resource efficiency since 2017. Our aim includes increasing the added value of agricultural products produced intensively in the region and at the same time reducing inputs.

We focused on 'good cotton' in the Southeastern Anatolia Region, one of the most important cotton production centers of our country. It has international standards in the world. This standard also has strict criteria. "We have successfully started to popularize this standard in our region in the last 5 years."

Maral emphasized that they are carrying out a large-scale project together with the United Nations Development Program and said:

"In this context, good cotton production has started in an area of more than 500 thousand decares in the Southeastern Anatolia Region. More than 2,100 of our producers are currently producing good cotton in the region. This is a very important indicator. Of course, this current stage attracts the attention of the relevant authority.

As you know, Türkiye will be the host of COP31 this year. Brand business in our country will also be carried to COP31. The good cotton practices we carried out in this direction became the center of attention as it was a resounding project. The success of the project and its results are obvious. We are excited to bring these results to the COP31 arena. "At COP31, Southeastern Anatolian cotton will be discussed extensively in terms of good cotton standards."