The impact of heat and drought on agriculture

“Measured drought stress does indeed contribute to better olive oil quality, but I think that this season it has gone beyond all limits. I should point out that the most dedicated olive growers started irrigating as early as May, and this has proved to be a very effective measure,” said Dr Maja Podgornik, Head of the Institute for Oliveculture at ZRS Koper, on the programme Primorska Kronika on TV Koper-Capodistria. Her statement was also featured in numerous other reports by RTV Slovenija.

The programme focused on record-breaking heat and prolonged drought and their impact on agriculture, particularly vegetable production, where growing crops without irrigation is almost impossible. At temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius, even irrigation is not sufficient, affecting both the quantity and quality of the harvest. Producers are facing challenges such as improving irrigation efficiency and selecting more resistant varieties, as Slovenia is only 32% self-sufficient in vegetables.

The programme is available at the following link: Drought and heat are already shaping this year’s harvest