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Favorable rainfall has triggered a round-the-clock barley and wheat harvest across Elazig, a crucial agricultural hub in eastern Anatolia.
The city's fertile soil structure and climate conditions, combined with increased seasonal rainfall this year, have resulted in one of the most productive harvest seasons for barley and wheat in recent years for local producers.
To capitalize on the high-yield crops and shorten production timelines, combine harvesters are currently working across 91,900 hectares (227,090 acres) of land, significantly accelerating the harvest timeline.
Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Saadettin Taskesen stated that Elazig holds significant agricultural potential in grain production, noting that barley and wheat are the most widely cultivated crops.
Expressing that last year's frost caused damage in the city, Taşkesen explained that favorable weather conditions and abundant rainfall this year boosted agricultural production and brought smiles to farmers' faces.
Taskesen stated that officials expect approximately 366,000 metric tons of grain production across 91,900 hectares this year. He explained that projections include 208,000 metric tons of barley across 52,600 hectares and 158,000 metric tons of wheat on 39,300 hectares.
He noted that favorable weather and above-average rainfall boosted yields above last year's figures, adding that harvesters remain active while provincial officials conduct field inspections during the harvest.
Warning that both producers and combine operators must remain cautious against the increased risk of fires during the harvest season, Taskesen emphasized the importance of preventing stubble fires.
He urged farmers to keep water tanks ready in active harvest areas and to plow the land with tractors immediately after completing operations as a standard safety measure.
Barley and wheat producer Mehmet Emin Kaptan shared that higher yields and superior product quality compared to last year have brought great satisfaction to local growers.
Kaptan explained that winter snow and ongoing spring rains boosted overall yields. He noted that fields are yielding an average of 400 to 500 kilograms per decare, leaving growers very pleased with this year's crop.
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Cengiz Kaptan, who has operated combine harvesters across the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia regions for 13 years, noted that abundant rainfall made barley and wheat stalks thicker, stronger, and denser, which made harvesting more challenging.
Explaining that heavy workloads sometimes cause slight delays in serving farmers who scheduled appointments, Kaptan noted that six drivers operate non-stop using day and night shifts. He described the work as demanding due to intense heat, dust, and straw.
He warned that high machine temperatures create severe fire hazards, requiring continuous dust cleaning and maintenance during noon and evening hours. He strongly advised operators to clean engine dust regularly.
Noting that farmers wait an entire year for the harvest, he emphasized that maintaining onboard fire extinguishers and exercising caution protects both crews and farmers from hardship.
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