THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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Press release…
With the arrival of July, rising temperatures brought forest fires, especially in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions. Thousands of acres of forest and agricultural land were unfortunately consumed by flames. It should not be forgotten that forest fires kill not only trees but also thousands of living creatures. In the past week, fires of significant proportions have occurred in İzmir, Sakarya, Hatay, Bilecik, Manisa, İstanbul and Bursa provinces.
Unfortunately, the main cause of forest fires in our country is human error. 88 percent of fires are caused by humans, and this percentage rises to 97 percent in terms of the area burned. Therefore, it is vitally important for our citizens to be aware and careful.
Every piece of rubbish thrown into nature is a potential fire hazard. Let us remove materials such as glass and plastic that can cause optical effects from nature. Let us cut tree branches that touch power lines and clear dry grass. We sadly see how even the smallest negligence can lead to major disasters. Let us not forget: Protecting the forest is protecting life.
One of the major causes of fires is stubble burning. Burning stubble in wheat and barley fields intertwined with forests poses a significant risk. Although it may make soil preparation easier, burning stubble reduces soil fertility, destroys organic matter, lowers water retention capacity and increases farmers’ costs by necessitating more fertiliser use.
Stubble is the future of the soil. The soil is our future. We must act with this awareness and absolutely avoid the practice of burning stubble. Burning stubble is burning the most precious asset entrusted to us—nature and our future. This truth must never be forgotten.
By Şemsi Bayraktar,
Union of the Turkish Agricultural Chambers,
President
