Today's biggest danger

Prof. Dr. İbrahim Baktır, Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies, Cyprus International University (CIU) pointed out that drought is one of the most important natural events threatening our world today as it was in the past, and that countries such as Cyprus, where the Mediterranean climate is effective, are more easily and quickly affected by drought.

Stating that it is important to preserve the ecological balance at the highest level and within the principles of sustainability in such countries, Baktır said, "the significance of this issue becomes obvious when considered that the red pine, which is the most dominant forest tree of Cyprus, develops in more than 50 years under normal conditions".

It was reminded that many people and nations had to leave their homelands in the past due to drought. As a result of industrialization and population growth, thousands of hectares of fertile agricultural land falls into the grip of drought and forests are disappearing every year.

Noting that agricultural activities are among the indispensable elements of life and sustaining it under normal conditions is completely dependent on water, Baktır said, "75% of the freshwater used in the world for plant and animal production is the most concrete proof of how important water is".

It was added that in countries like Cyprus, water harvesting, in other words, accumulating rainwater, is crucial to minimize water shortage. In addition, it is important to save water through educating all members of the society on this matter.

There are very good examples of such studies in the world and it is a great need that the authorities to start working on this issue immediately for the agricultural activities.

Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Baktır drew attention to the issue of plant production and added, "It is necessary to prefer xerophytes in plant production and to give priority to the production of plants that complete their development until June".

Noting that the drought-resistant plants such as olives, carob, and figs are indispensable in the country, Baktır reminded that “when these trees are watered regularly according to their annual needs, their yield and product quality increases by at least 4-5 times”.