17 September 2026, Şanlıurfa – Sally Higgins, COP31 Presidency Youth Climate Champion and farmer, today joined farmers in the cotton fields of Şanlıurfa to see firsthand Better Cotton Practices in action. Implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Southeast Anatolia Project Regional Development Administration (GAP RDA), the initiative uses less water and less fertiliser to support more climate-friendly agriculture.

As the impacts of climate change are increasingly affecting agricultural production in Şanlıurfa, one of Türkiye’s key agricultural hubs, sustainable farming practices are becoming an important part of climate action. Rising temperatures, decreasing rainfall, high evaporation rates, drought and increasing water stress cause growing pressure on agricultural production and the natural resources on which farmers and rural communities depend.

UNDP and GAP RDA’s joint initiative, the Better Cotton Project promotes efficient and responsible use of key agricultural inputs, including water, fertilisers and pesticides, while supporting soil health, biodiversity and decent working conditions in agriculture. By using resources more efficiently, these practices can help farmers reduce production costs while strengthening the resilience of agricultural production to climate change. To help mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change, meteorological data collected from the climate station, together with soil moisture measurements taken in the field, are used to determine the optimal timing and amount of fertilisation and irrigation required for licensed cotton production.

Tomica Paovic, UNDP Türkiye Deputy Resident Representative said: “Climate change has an increasing pressure on agricultural production, particularly through growing water stress. The Better Cotton practices we are supporting in Şanlıurfa demonstrate the direct connection between sustainable agriculture and climate action. Using water and soil more efficiently not only strengthens agricultural production today but also contributes to the long-term resilience of natural resources and the communities whose livelihoods depend on them.”

Dr. Hasan Maral, President of the GAP RDA said: “The Southeast Anatolia Region produces more than 60 percent of Türkiye’s cotton. Ensuring the efficient use of resources, protecting the environment and strengthening the competitiveness of our producers are essential for the region’s sustainable development. Today, 2,118 licensed Better Cotton farmers and 16 licensed agricultural engineers are working in Diyarbakır and Şanlıurfa, with licensed cotton production covering 446,130 decares.”

The Better Cotton Project is implemented by GAP RDA and UNDP, with financial support from the Better Cotton Growth and Innovation Fund and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Since 2020, the project has supported cotton farmers in Diyarbakır and Şanlıurfa through training and technical assistance on the efficient use of water and fertilisers, responsible pesticide use, soil health, biodiversity and the well-being of agricultural workers.