In the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, climate change and the risk of an emerging food crisis highlighted the need to explore new crops that can thrive under arid climate conditions. In response, the Cyprus Turkish Businesswomen Association (GİKAD), which carries out voluntary initiatives in this field, implemented its plans with the support of Chef Ebru Baybara Demir, who has been leading compost projects in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus for the past two years.
The primary objective of the project was to develop an emergency and climate-adaptation strategy by preserving existing crop patterns and agricultural diversity in Cyprus while strengthening resilience to the impacts of climate change.
For the trial cultivation of the Niğde potato variety considered well suited to Cyprus’s soil and climate conditions contact was established with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye, and the pilot planting was carried out with the support of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Under the supervision of the Ministry, one ton of Niğde potatoes was planted in designated plots, and a monitoring and observation process was initiated. Known for its ability to grow with minimal water, the Niğde potato variety achieved a high-yield harvest.
The successful outcome of the trial cultivation demonstrated that the project met its objectives and paved the way for further pilot studies aimed at preserving existing crop patterns while expanding agricultural diversity across the country.