Puglia farmers adapt to extreme heat to protect tomato crops

Extreme heat and drought in Puglia are forcing farmers to overhaul traditional agricultural practices to protect crops, particularly tomatoes. According to monitoring by Coldiretti Puglia, direct solar radiation and limited water availability are causing fruit sunburn, which threatens both quality and commercial value.

In areas such as Altamura, farmers are using protective covers to shield tomatoes from intense sun and extreme temperatures. These conditions accelerate ripening and increase the risk of production damage due to water stress. To manage the heat, many are shifting work hours to the night and conducting harvests at dawn.

The heat emergency also impacts processing facilities and laboratories. Coldiretti has suggested that workers and businesses facing activity suspensions due to extreme weather conditions should be able to access support tools, such as the ‘cassa integrazione’ (wage guarantee fund), to mitigate the impact of climate-driven interruptions.