Drip Irrigation Systems Provide...

In parallel with the increase in population in our country, as in the world, there is an increase in water demands in the agriculture, drinking, utilization and industrial sectors. This situation necessitates the efficient use of our existing water resources, especially irrigation.

Emphasizing that DSI prioritizes saving in irrigation facilities put into service in this direction, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Bekir Pakdemirli said, "There is a drought every 7 years on average in our geography. For this reason, irrigation projects that increase the welfare level of the society should be implemented primarily and quickly. While doing this, we should prefer economical systems because we are not a water-rich country."

THREE QUARTERS OF OUR WATER IS USED FOR IRRIGATION

Underlining that three quarters of our water is used for irrigation, Minister Pakdemirli said, "We use 40 billion cubic meters of water, ie 74 percent, for irrigation, and the rest for drinking, domestic use and industry. Therefore, the greatest water savings can be made in irrigation."

28 PERCENT OF IRRITED AREAS CLOSED SYSTEM

Emphasizing that the economically irrigable area in our country is 8.5 million hectares, Pakdemirli said, "The area of ​​​​6.65 million hectares can be irrigated at the moment. As of 2019, of these areas opened for irrigation in our country, 34% of these areas are classical (wild) irrigation, 38% of them are canal irrigation and irrigation systems. Closed system (pipeline) irrigation is used in 28 percent of them," he said.

SPRINKLER AND DRIP SAVING OVER 60 PERCENT

Stating that the rate of closed system irrigation was 6 percent before 2003, Minister Pakdemirli said, "We have started to implement modern irrigation systems by abandoning the old systems since 2003. With the sprinkler and drip methods made with piped systems, more than 60 percent savings can be made in irrigation."

Minister Bekir Pakdemirli added that transmission losses have been reduced to a minimum by switching to closed system pressure piped irrigation.