health
February 28, 2026
‘I live in constant fear’: surge in giant sinkholes threatens Turkey’s farmers
Falling groundwater, extreme heat and water-intensive farming are accelerating land collapse, forcing a rethink in agricultural practices
TL;DR
- Giant sinkholes are appearing at an increasing rate in Karapınar, Konya, Turkey, a region known as the country's breadbasket.
- Experts attribute the surge in sinkholes to dwindling rainfall, reduced groundwater levels from deep wells dug by farmers, and the region's geological composition.
- Fatih Sik, a local farmer, lives in constant fear of sinkholes destroying his home and has lost valuable farmland, estimating significant costs to fill the holes.
- Konya, historically fertile, faces a potential desertification crisis, with almost 90% of Turkey at risk.
- The drying land is linked to climate breakdown, with record heat and low rainfall accelerating the disaster.
- To adapt, some farmers are reintroducing less water-intensive crops like hemp, while others are reviving ancient dry-farming techniques for crops like roses and medicinal plants.
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