Sugar Beet Production is at Risk Due to Agricultural Diseases and Drought

The frost and increasing drought conditions experienced in Amasya have seriously negatively affected sugar beet production. Particularly, an area of 10 thousand decares was damaged due to frost that occurred in April, leading to a loss in production.

Farmers in the region have faced great challenges due to these climatic conditions. The drought has resulted in insufficient water levels in dams and ponds, causing difficulties in obtaining water during the beet planting period. These adverse weather conditions have led to a decrease in beet planting.

The Chairman of the Board of Amasya Sugar Factory, Ahmet Özarslan, stated in his remarks, “Like our country, drought and frost have negatively affected our production in the region. 10 thousand decares of our beet area were damaged due to frost. The insufficient levels of dams and ponds during the beet planting period due to drought have caused declines in beet planting.”

Amasya is one of the important regions in Turkey for sugar beet production. However, the current climatic conditions threaten production processes and negatively affect farmers' future plans. The lack of water sources during the planting period decreases product yields and increases costs. This situation directly affects the livelihoods of farmers and leads to regional economic instabilities.

Experts emphasize that if such climatic fluctuations become permanent, it is necessary to reevaluate cultivation methods and water management strategies. This situation is not only applicable to Amasya but also to regions with similar agricultural climates. Unless climate change is tackled and agricultural sustainability is ensured, such losses seem inevitable.