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The New Reality of Agriculture: Water-Based Production, Investing in the Future

The world is changing…But one of the fastest-changing areas is now agriculture.

The climate crisis, water stress, and global disruptions are rewriting the rules of production. When one goes out into a field in Antalya today, a matter is crystal clear: the issue is no longer about producing more; it's about establishing a resilient and clean food-focused agricultural system by using the right resources in the right way.

In the past, yield was on the agenda; today’s agenda is water. In the past, the markets were the issue; the issue is the risk. Because agriculture is no longer just about production; it has become a matter of dealing with uncertainties.Global events are also accelerating this process. The fluctuations in agricultural products following the Russo-Ukrainian war, the impact of wars in the Middle East on costs, and the increasing pressure of drought have shown us something very clearly:

The issue is no longer how much we produce, but with which resources and how we produce.

Antalya is Türkiye’s greenhouse production hub. Approximately 16–18% of Antalya's total area is agricultural land, which corresponds to about 370 thousand hectares. With its intensive greenhouse production, multiple harvest opportunities, and high value-added production structure, Antalya is one of Türkiye’s strongest agricultural centers. However, behind this strength lies a very important reality: limited resources.

We have an annual water potential of around 8–9 billion cubic meters, and more than 70% of this is used for irrigation. The situation talks to us quite clearly: we can no longer continue producing as we used to.

The demand of the land itself, of the utmost importance, is to change our production mindset.

We must now produce according to the availability of water. We must make decisions based on conditions of the soil. We must not make any plans without considering the climate.

The era of production despite resources is over.

The era of production according to resources has begun.

The water issue, in particular, is no longer a topic that can be postponed. Approximately 77% of the water used in Türkiye is used in agriculture. In regions with intensive production like Antalya, this rate reaches much more critical levels.

In recent years, closed-circuit irrigation systems have achieved a 30–40% reduction in water losses. This is extremely valuable. However, it is not sufficient. We now need a shift towards an approach that not only uses water but manages it.

Transformation in agriculture is not possible through technology alone. If the producer is not part of the transformation, no model will be sustainable.

There are approximately 40 thousand registered producers in Antalya. This is a great strength. However, we must direct this strength correctly. We must provide data to producers, show them risks in advance, and enable them to produce the right product in the right place.

Because when producers see what is right, transformation happens naturally.

It is no longer enough for us to just produce.

We need to produce correctly. We need to produce healthily.

Agriculture is no longer just about production.

Agriculture is the capacity to manage the future.

Those who cannot manage water today will not be able to manage production tomorrow. And those who cannot manage production will not have a say in the future.

Seda Özel

President of International Agriculture Association

Antalya Representative of Turkish Union of Agrifood