Agricultural frost saddened apple producers in Niğde. Apple orchards suffered damage due to frost. Atilla Kaplan, the President of the Niğde Apple Producers Association, stated that Niğde is one of the leading provinces in apple production in Turkey. Recalling the significant loss in crop yield last year due to heat and drought, Kaplan said, “We are in the 2nd place in apple production in Turkey as Niğde.” “METHODS OF PROTECTION FROM FROST ARE INEFFECTIVE” Kaplan mentioned the use of frost protection methods by stating that they continuously operate sprinkler systems in the orchards. Explaining that they need to provide at least 3 tons of water per hectare, Kaplan said, “1 gram of water releases 80 calories when frozen, covering the plants with ice. The ice stays below zero degrees and thus protected from frost. We take these precautions, but it can only protect up to minus 6 degrees. Some regions dropped to minus 9 to minus 19. In our region, it was minus 15.6 degrees. These cold temperatures make frost protection methods ineffective. With these methods, we can achieve an increase of around 2 degrees in temperature, but in extreme conditions, we truly feel helpless as producers.” He added. “IT WAS EXTREMELY COLD” Pointing out that agricultural frost occurred in many regions nationwide, Kaplan continued, “Actually, there is an issue nationwide. Isparta had less. Some parts of Karaman are like us. We had more drops below zero. If it’s minus 9 or minus 10 in Karaman, meteorological stations showed minus 14.6 in our area. It will seriously affect production. While we expected around 650,000 tons, we might end up with very few or even none due to the concern. Last year, we dropped to 350,000 tons, and this year it seems like we will fall below that as well. It was truly an extreme cold. It was unexpected.” Kaplan emphasized that the government always stands by the farmers. Mentioning their expectations from the government regarding agricultural loans and grant support, Kaplan said, “This cold affected everywhere. Like other regions, we also expect support from our government.”