TRIn 2026, natural disasters such as floods, excessive rainfall, hail, storms, and frost impacted nearly 900,000 hectares of agricultural land across more than 70 provinces in Türkiye. The head of the Union of Turkish Chambers of Agriculture (TZOB), Şemsi Bayraktar, highlighted the increasing frequency and severity of these events, which have placed significant pressure on agricultural production and the broader rural economy. According to Bayraktar, the damage extends beyond crop loss, affecting farmers' investments in seeds, fertilizers, and labor. He cited a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report showing that global agricultural losses due to natural disasters rose from $64 billion annually in the 1990s to $144 billion in recent years. Bayraktar emphasized the need for improved agricultural insurance, though he noted that coverage remains low due to high premium costs.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual data and quotes from an official representative of the Union of Turkish Chambers of Agriculture (TZOB). It does not exhibit overtly biased language, one-sided sourcing, or omission of context. The content focuses on the impact of natural disasters on agriculture and the
