CAKMAK Belgin1, UNVER I.H. Olcay2, and AKUZUM Turhan1
1 Department of Farm Structures & Irrigation, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ankara, 06110 Diskapi, Ankara, TURKEY
2 President, Republic of Turkey Prime Ministry, Southeastern Anatolia Project Regional Development Administration, Willy Brandt Sok. No. 5, 06680 Cankaya, Ankara, TURKEY
Turkey is not a water rich country. A large part of Turkey’s water resources is consumed by the agriculture sector. The rapidly increasing population creates a rising demand for water and reduces the amount of water available for agriculture. This situation emphasizes the need for water resources management, and points out the need for the economic use of water resources. Irrigation represents about 75% of all water consumption. Due to a number of difficulties and limitations, irrigation schemes are not operating at full efficiency. Therefore it is imperative to use agricultural water efficiently in Turkey.