An Overview of the Impacts of Global Climate Change on Farmland in Turkey

Abstract

Turkey is a country located in a semi-arid climate. As a result of worldwide climate change, dry land farming will drift to the north, decreasing agricultural productivity. Currently in Turkey agriculture generates 7.2% of GDP, 11.3 % of exports, 21.5 % of employment and constitutes 34% of the land area. The amount of agricultural land has decreased 15% since 2000. Future projections for the country show an increase in temperature and a reduction in precipitation. This affects the type of crops grown and the use of water resources for irrigation and power production. Government policy must be specifically designed to positively deal with these specific impacts.