Harvesting Progress: How Technology is Reviving Farming in Turkey
Agriculture is deeply rooted in Turkey’s culture and economy. From fertile plains that yield grains like wheat and barley, to diverse regions that cultivate cotton, sugar beet, sunflower, and a rich variety of fruit such as apples, cherries, and citrus, Turkey's landscape is as varied as the crops it produces. Yet, this rich agricultural tradition faces a pressing challenge. Over the past 18 years, while the country’s population has grown by 23%, the number of farmers has sharply declined by 21%. Of the 2.17 million existing farmers, only 289,000 are women and the average farmer age is 58.1 years. This demographic shift poses a potential threat to the continuity and innovation in farming practices crucial for the sector’s vitality and sustainability.
The Dawn of Digital Farming: Revitalizing Turkish Agriculture
Amidst these challenges, the potential for digital farming and irrigation automation hold great promise. Technologies like Netafim's GrowSphere™ MAX are stepping into the spotlight, offering solutions that aim to revolutionize traditional farming methods through data driven irrigation and fertigation, advanced planning, scheduling, monitoring and controlling, and the ability to handle all farming operations remotely, from the comfort of one’s digital device. Or in other words: say farewell to slogging in the field under 40 degrees heat :)
Many local growers are starting to realize the advantages of the digital automation revolution in Turkey.
Bünyamin Çuhadar: A digital farming pioneer
One such trailblazer is Mr. Bünyamin Çuhadar, a leading farmer known for his innovative approaches. At 61 years old, he has been farming for nearly 30 years, cultivating a variety of crops on 200 hectares in Karatay, Konya, a key province for extensive crop farming in Turkey. His primary crops include corn, potatoes, wheat, sunflower, and alfalfa.
Mr. Çuhadar has been a loyal customer of Netafim products since 2014, utilizing various irrigation methods, including subsurface and surface drip irrigation and sprinklers. In the past couple of years he has embraced digital farming on a large scale and implemented GrowSphere™ MAX controller in his farming operation.
GrowSphere™ MAX, an advanced system designed to handle complex irrigation and fertigation tasks with ease, represents the cutting edge of agricultural technology. With features that support multiple mainlines, over 100 sensors, and the capacity to manage up to 256 valves, it is tailor-made for medium to large-scale operations that require precision and efficiency.
As of 2018, together with the assembly of the first SDI system, he started using the first controller and in consecutive years, 4 more units have been embedded into the range.
"I've seen firsthand how essential precise water management is, especially during the extreme weather we sometimes face," Çuhadar shares. "GrowSphere™ MAX allowed me to streamline my irrigation processes, drastically reducing the labour required while enhancing the flexibility to adjust water schedules as the climate dictates."
Çuhadar’s experience highlights the effectiveness of GrowSphere™ MAX in managing large-scale operations seamlessly. The system's ease of use and robust support from Netafim have enabled him to monitor water flow and make real-time adjustments, ensuring optimal growth conditions across his diverse crop range.
Mr. Çuhadar now plans to add two more GrowSphere™ MAX units by the end of 2024 and an additional unit by the end of next year.
Refik Yenice: A legacy of innovation across generations
Further south, in Adana, Refik Yenice represents the new generation of tech-savvy farmers. As a second-generation farmer with extensive education abroad, Yenice brings a fresh perspective to his family's farming operations; 250 hectares of citrus, corn and soybean. His fluency in English and exposure to global agricultural practices have made him particularly receptive to the advantages of digital farming.
While there’s no lack of water in his region, Yenice’s decision to incorporate GrowSphere™ MAX was driven by the need to utilize resources more efficiently and sustainably. With escalating energy costs and the increasing difficulty in finding labour, automation for him isn't just a luxury; it's a necessity.
Under Yenice's guidance, his farm has expanded the use of Netafim's drip irrigation from citrus production to include field crops like corn and soybean. This transition is supported by GrowSphere™ MAX, which provides a unified platform for managing both water and fertilizer needs precisely and according to crop requirements.
"GrowSphere™ MAX has enabled us to design our farming operation with remote access and greater efficiency" Yenice remarks. "We can separate our corn and citrus and irrigate two separate main lines from a single device. We can irrigate our land more effectively, and use less water and energy without stressing our plants. We can also supervise the land with fewer personnel because of the remote access and programming capabilities.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of Farming in Turkey
Both Çuhadar and Yenice exemplify the potential of digital agriculture technologies like GrowSphere™ MAX to transform farming practices.
This digital transformation could be the key to rejuvenating Turkey's agricultural sector by making farming more appealing and accessible to the younger generation, who are more attuned to technological solutions. By integrating such innovative systems, Turkish farmers can enhance productivity, optimize the use of resources, and ultimately lead a resurgence in the sector that respects tradition while embracing the future. The introduction of these technologies not only promises to bridge the gap between old and new but also to inject a much-needed vitality into farming, ensuring it remains a robust and integral part of Turkey's economy and heritage.
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