Erdemli‘de 1000 dönüm bahçe susuzluktan kurudu 

1,000 ACRES OF GARDEN DRY DUE TO DRAIN IN ERDEMLİ Farmers in Ayaş Await Help for Their Drying Orchards Mehmet DOĞANER - Extreme heat and irrigation water shortages in the Erdemli district of Mersin have brought agriculture to a standstill. In the Ayaş neighborhood, in particular, farmers have been unable to obtain irrigation water from the Aksıfat Dam, resulting in approximately 1,000 acres of lemon and fruit orchards drying up due to lack of water. Producers, stating that their hard work has been wasted, are demanding urgent solutions from authorities. WATER AVAILABLE, BUT NOT FOR FARMERS The Aksıfat Dam, built as part of the planned irrigation projects in Ayaş, has failed to provide water to the neighborhood's orchards, sparking widespread outrage. Neighborhood headman Bayram Kurt visited each of the dried-up orchards, listening to the farmers' cries and speaking to the press to publicize his plea. Village headman Bayram Kurt said, “Ayaş neighborhood, home to Erdemli’s most beautiful and hardworking people, has been reduced to a veritable conflagration. Lemon and fruit gardens, established with great effort, sweat, and expense, are withering away due to lack of water. These gardens have received no water for nearly two months. Saplings, trees, and hopes have withered.” “AKSIFAT DAM WAS BUILT FOR US, BUT IT’S NOT BEING PROVIDED TO US” Criticizing the lack of water from the dam, Kurt said: “Aksıfat Dam was built to irrigate the agricultural lands in our region. But the Silifke side uses this water, and we, the farmers in Ayaş, cannot benefit from it. Yet, our fields are located in the area planned for this dam. Trees are withering every day, and the land is becoming barren. This is a major agricultural disaster. Let them hear the cries of the people of Ayaş. This is not a political issue; it is a matter of survival.” "NO GREEN BRANCHES LEFT" The drought in the Ayaş neighborhood is paralyzing agricultural production and threatening the livelihoods of the local community. The withering of lemon, citrus, and various fruit trees has left hundreds of families in financial distress. Kurt concluded, "At this rate, there won't be a single green branch left in the Ayaş neighborhood. Save our gardens. We're asking politicians and government officials for help. We need a single drop of water." FARMERS ARE DESPITE THEIR DESPAIR, PRODUCTION HAS BEEN STOPPED Some producers, stating that the situation is unsustainable, say they are unable to repay their loans and have no energy left to reinvest in their dried-up gardens. Farmers warn that if a solution isn't found, they will be forced to migrate. The drought crisis in Ayaş is shaking the region's agriculture-based economy, and authorities are expected to take action to address it.