In the heart of Turkey’s agricultural sector, a silent battle is unfolding. Not against pests or diseases, but against an invisible foe: climate change. The country’s high-tech soilless greenhouses, once a symbol of agricultural innovation, are now on the frontlines of a global challenge that’s pushing the limits of modern farming. A recent study, led by Ahmet Kürklü from the Department of Agricultural Machinery and Technology Engineering at Akdeniz University, sheds light on the stark realities facing tomato growers in these state-of-the-art facilities.
The 2022–2033 growing season was a wake-up call. Extreme high temperatures wreaked havoc on tomato production, with yield losses ranging from 6% to a staggering 53%, and an average loss of 12.5%. “The results were alarming,” Kürklü said. “We saw significant increases in water, fertilizer, and electricity consumption, all while grappling with reduced yields and lower-quality produce.”
The survey revealed that irrigation and fog system water consumption surged by nearly 30%, while fertilizer and electricity consumption rose by 23.66% and 19% respectively. This isn’t just a story about lost crops; it’s a story about escalating costs and dwindling profits. For the energy sector, this translates to increased demand and potential strain on resources. “Growers are struggling to keep up with the demands of climate control,” Kürklü noted. “This isn’t just about farming; it’s about the broader implications for energy consumption and sustainability.”
The study, published in BMC Plant Biology, also highlighted the urgent need for advanced climate control technologies and renewable energy integration. As Kürklü puts it, “We need to rethink our strategies. Expanding fog system capacities, improving water-use efficiency, and optimizing cooling strategies are just the beginning.”
The findings underscore a pressing need for innovation in the face of climate change. For the energy sector, this means exploring new ways to support agricultural resilience. It’s a call to action for technology developers and policymakers alike. The future of sustainable greenhouse farming hinges on our ability to adapt and innovate. As Kürklü’s research shows, the stakes are high, but so are the opportunities for transformative change.