Famous across Türkiye, the Anamur Banana is more than just a crop—it is a symbol of Mersin’s identity and pride. The region produces nearly 90% of Türkiye‘s bananas, mainly in the coastal districts of Anamur and Bozyazı.

However, CLIMAAX data reveal a growing threat: climate change could seriously affect this agricultural heritage. Through the Mersin Climate Ready (MCR-RA) project, the municipality applied the CLIMAAX agricultural drought workflow to estimate potential yield losses for key crops.

The results are alarming: without irrigation, banana yields could drop by 30–42% by 2050, due to declining annual rainfall (expected around 500 mm) and a near doubling of evapotranspiration, projected to reach 1,900 mm. These findings highlight the widening gap between water availability and crop demand across the Mediterranean.

By integrating CLIMAAX tools with local agricultural data from the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM), Mersin refined its regional drought analysis and deepened its understanding of local climate risks.

Today, farmers, scientists, and local stakeholders are working together to safeguard livelihoods through modern irrigation, water reuse, and drought-resilient farming practices. The MCR-RA project demonstrates how scientific data can be translated into actionable solutions for community resilience.

The next step is the co-design of Mersin’s climate adaptation roadmap, aiming to share lessons learned with other Mediterranean regions.

Key MCR-RA events:

• 6 August 2025 – MCR-RA Launch & Stakeholder Workshop: face-to-face meeting at the Climate and Environment Science Center in Mersin, with over 100 participants from municipal departments, universities, and local organizations, discussing climate risks and drought impacts.
  
• 22 October 2025 – Online Workshop on Agricultural Drought: Zoom session with 33 representatives from agriculture departments, local municipalities, and universities, focusing on irrigation modernization, water reuse, and inter-institutional cooperation in light of banana yield loss projections.
  
• November 2025 – Online session with academics: detailed demonstration of the CLIMAAX methodology to support scientific publications and regional knowledge co-production.

Key visual data:

• Evapotranspiration Map (2046–2050, RCP4.5 Scenario): cumulative evapotranspiration during the growing season is projected to nearly double from 1,200 mm today to 1,900 mm, while average annual rainfall is expected to decline to around 500 mm.
  
• Projected Banana Yield Loss (2046–2050, RCP4.5 Scenario): yields in the coastal districts of Anamur and Bozyazı could drop by 30–42% due to precipitation deficits and higher evapotranspiration.

MCR-RA shows how advanced scientific tools can support local adaptation strategies, turning complex data into concrete solutions for a more resilient future.