Eskişehir implements agricultural early warning system

Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality has launched an Agricultural Forecast and Early Warning System to protect local crops from natural disasters and pests. The project utilizes meteorological stations and cameras installed in agricultural areas to monitor real-time data, including weather conditions, precipitation, wind, hail risk, soil temperature, and humidity.

Agricultural engineers review the data and camera footage daily to detect diseases or harmful pests. When a threat is identified, the municipality prepares simplified warning messages which are sent to local Chambers of Agriculture via SMS. These chambers then relay the alerts to registered producers.

The system aims to reduce product loss by allowing farmers to take early action against frost, floods, and diseases. Local representatives, including Necat Yatır of the Eskişehir Chambers of Agriculture Provincial Coordination Board, noted that the system will benefit at least 1,500 out of 2,200 members, specifically aiding the production of corn, sugar beets, and potatoes.