New Generation Solutions Are the Key to Agriculture

Prof. Dr. Mustafa Erayman, Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies at the Cyprus International University, evaluated potential solutions for the agricultural sector in the face of climate change. Emphasizing the challenges faced by producers in hot and arid climates such as Cyprus, Prof. Dr. Erayman highlighted key issues including water scarcity, evaporation, lack of organic matter in the soil, and inappropriate crop selection. He stated that problems like water shortage and high evaporation directly affect agricultural production in regions like Cyprus.

Prof. Dr. Erayman underlined that in cases where drip irrigation is insufficient in terms of efficient water use, subsurface irrigation systems should be employed. He emphasized the importance of enriching soils with organic matter to increase water retention capacity and support productivity. "We have underground lakes and aquifers in Cyprus. Major investments can be made through the State Hydraulic Works and the Ministry of Agriculture for their discharge. The potential of these aquifers is known. If they are to be used, they must be closely monitored and not harm the ecological balance. Sustainability becomes an important concept at this point as well," he said.
With his expertise in plant breeding, he noted that genetic selection and biotechnological methods play a key role in developing drought-resistant plant species. Techniques such as genomic selection, accelerated breeding, and CRISPR yield results much faster than traditional methods and enable the development of plants that produce higher yields with less water. “When people hear ‘genetically modified,’ they naturally become concerned. But we, as professionals in this field, know and see how detailed and meticulously this work is conducted. The public can rest assured,” he stated.

Prof. Dr. Erayman also emphasized the importance of digital technologies and drone use in agriculture, noting that weather-based pesticide applications reduce input costs, increase field productivity, and make water usage more controlled. He particularly stressed that in dryland farming, determining the correct planting time is critical for germination success.

“Cyprus has a very special climate, and there are medicinal plants unique to this region that can thrive very well here. Golden herb, gabbari, and lavender are some examples. Among the medicinal plants, the one I consider most suitable for this region is cumin,” he added.

Stressing that agriculture must be done in a fully equipped and comprehensive manner, Erayman said, “If anything is missing in farming, both yield and quality drop. Everything depends on the weakest link. If you don't keep track, you lose. My most important advice is to practice sustainable and well-calculated farming.”