It is inevitable that we will have to take the necessary measures against drought

Cyprus International University (CIU) Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies academic staff Assist. Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Ok, stating that it is inevitable that we will have to take the necessary measures against the problem of drought that is negatively affecting both daily life and agricultural production within the TRNC, went on to say, "As individuals in our homes, where we consume nearly 30% of the total water, making a habit of using water sparingly would be a good start”.

Explaining that greenhouse gases reduce the extreme cooling of the earth and also ensure that the earth maintains an average temperature that is livable in for living organisms, Ok went on to say, “However, the concentration of greenhouse gases has increased as a result of excessive fossil fuel consumption. This situation creates the global problem known as global warming”.

Informing that in an effort to combat global warming, 191 countries have made a commitment to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, Assist. Prof. Dr. Ok continued, “Regulations supporting clean energy have been implemented. However, it is not possible for these measures to be solutions to current problems in a short time”.

Ok emphasized that in order to address the drought problem that is being experienced across the country, the necessary steps should be taken, and reminded that efficient use of domestic water, the installation of rain harvesting systems upon roofs and suitable surfaces, and the recycling of domestic waste water, via its treatment at waste water treatment plants, are such measures that can be taken.

Assist. Prof. Dr. Ok pointed out that the water utilized in agricultural production is the most important of all the inputs, and went on to state, “As much as its presence, it is the quality of water that determines production capabilities and the product pattern. When it comes to agricultural production in Cyprus, the most limiting factor is water scarcity and poor water quality".

Underlining the fact that it is for this reason that dry farming is practiced in a significant part of the TRNC arable land, and that farmers are unable to perform irrigated agriculture, which provides the chance of producing higher added value, Ok said, “Across the TRNC, wild methods such as flood irrigation should be stopped, and instead, pressurized irrigation systems should be implemented. Drip irrigation systems in small-scale areas, and sprinkler and pivot irrigation systems in large-scale areas should be supported”.

Adding that the best possible planning should be applied to the 75 million m3 water that comes to the island every year via the water supply project, in accordance to the island’s needs, Assist. Prof. Dr. Ok said that it is important that this water is made available to farmers.