In response to the record heat, Apulian farmers have adopted a new strategy: working at night. This solution, suggested by Coldiretti Puglia, arises from the need to protect workers from the heat and scorching sun that characterize summer days in the region. The activities of baling hay, threshing legumes and other agricultural operations now take place under the stars.
The crops, already tested by a persistent drought, risk being lost if not harvested promptly. Fruit and vegetables, essential for combating the heat, must be harvested before the heat ruins them.
According to Coldiretti Puglia, the heat has also hit the production of eggs, milk and honey hard. The lack of water and high temperatures have drastically reduced the production of fodder, oats and barley, which are essential for livestock feed. Production of wheat and other cereals has halved, worsening the situation in a region already under water stress.
For cows, the ideal climate is between 22 and 24 degrees. Beyond this threshold, animals eat little, drink a lot and produce less milk. During heat peaks, each cow can drink up to 140 liters of water a day, compared to 70 liters in cooler periods. To address this emergency, countermeasures such as fans and cooling showers have been adopted in the stables.
Working at night has become essential to avoid the dangers of the hottest hours of the day. Agronomic operations are brought forward or carried out at sunset, eliminating unripe fruits to save the remaining crop.
This situation confirms the ongoing climate changes, with drought becoming a significant calamity for Apulian agriculture. Coldiretti Puglia estimates annual damage of more than 70 million euros, caused above all by the quantity and quality of compromised crops.
The record heat has transformed the working habits of Apulian farmers, forcing them to work at night to protect themselves and their crops. This phenomenon highlights the urgency of adopting adaptive measures to address climate change and ensure food security.
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