Tosya rice harvest continues amid water scarcity concerns

The harvest of geographically indicated ‘sarıkılçık’ rice is underway in the Tosya district of Kastamonu, Turkey. The crop is grown on 7,500 decares of land, nourished by snowmelt from the Ilgaz Mountains. In addition to the certified ‘sarıkılçık’ variety, farmers are also harvesting ‘yaşar’, ‘maratelli’, and ‘Osmancık’ rice types.

Tosya Mayor Volkan Kavaklıgil noted the historical significance of the region, stating that archives link Tosya rice to Ottoman palace cuisine. While the district has a long history of production, dating back to the establishment of Turkey’s first paddy factory in 1926, current production is limited by water shortages. Although the area has the potential for 25,000 decares of cultivation, water scarcity has restricted current operations to 7,500 decares.

Local producers report a significant decline in yields due to these water issues and cold weather. One farmer noted that yields have dropped from previous levels of 800–900 kilograms per decare to approximately 400 kilograms per decare this season.