Integrated approach for water resources and irrigation management in Turkey

Abstract

Water, which is a key input for life and cannot be substituted for many of its functions, has economic as well as social and cultural values. Water demand is being increased due to growing population and scarce resources and increasing competition among water-using sectors is being aggravated, globally. Meeting the needs for food in the future is under risk due to non-uniform distribution of water resources all over the world, increasing competition for decreasing water resources, system performances far from expected, inefficient and uneconomic use of water in irrigation, and continuity of problematic trend. The situation will motivate a new approach, which treats water resources management as integrated, based on economic efficiency and the functions of conventional water resources management practices should be inquired. Food security for the future will always depend on population stability, sustainability in economic and social development, and integrated water resources management (IWRM) strategies. The annual per capita water potential in Turkey is currently 1,700 m3 but is expected to be reduced to 1,000 m3 by the year 2020. Thus Turkey cannot be considered a "water-rich" country. Agriculture is the largest user of water in Turkey like most of the countries, demanding almost 70 % of the total amount withdrawn. The major systematic aspect of water related activities in Turkey is central planning. Existing planning approach is set on demand on project-scale, long-term goals are not considered mostly. The applicability of IWRM in Turkey depends on strong assessment of environmental aspects of water resources projects, the application of demand-driven management techniques rather than supply management, efficient use of economic instruments in the process.