The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has determined the roadmap for combating agricultural drought with the “2023-2027 Period Turkey Strategy and Action Plan for Combating Agricultural Drought”, which it held its introductory meeting today.
With the action plan prepared by the General Directorate of Agricultural Reform, it is aimed to increase the awareness of the public, to plan sustainable agricultural water use, to take necessary measures in periods when drought does not occur, and to minimize the effects of drought by implementing an effective combat program in times of crisis.
According to the plan, crisis management based on agricultural drought forecast will be implemented. Precipitation and soil moisture data and groundwater and surface water observation values will be monitored on a provincial basis. Provincial crisis management plans will be created according to the threshold levels to be determined based on these values.
Soil Moisture to be Measured at Agricultural Observation Stations
On the basis of the region where the drought is experienced, drought crisis decisions will be made and crisis management practice will be carried out. “Provincial Drought Action Plans” prepared in accordance with the dynamics and special conditions of each province in the fight against drought will be updated.
Existing irrigation systems will be converted to water-saving closed systems where technically and economically feasible. Irrigation systems will be maintained and repaired. In irrigation networks that are in the planning stage or under construction, irrigation systems will be designed as "closed irrigation networks" in order to reduce water loss and increase efficiency.
An "agricultural yield forecasting and monitoring system" will be established to contribute to drought crisis forecasting and management, and dry period watershed management and action plans will be prepared.
The Water Holding Capacity of the Warehouses Will Be Increased
Within the scope of the action plan, which will increase the potential water holding capacity of the country's storage (pond-dam) facilities, measures will be taken for the collection of wastewater and the reuse of treated wastewater in agriculture and industry. In this context, studies will be carried out to purify and reuse the water returned in the closed drainage system for irrigation.
The drilled groundwater wells will be mapped and monitored periodically, and farmers will be made aware of the issue.
It will be ensured that the flow rate allocated to all groundwater wells drilled for drinking, use, industry and agricultural purposes will be measured and monitored by installing a meter. Again, inter-basin water transmission will be planned and implemented when necessary. Appropriate land use patterns will be determined by considering the quality of the soil, the ability of the land and other land characteristics.
Within the scope of Turkey Agricultural Basins Production and Support Model, product pattern planning will be made in agricultural basins.
Irrigation Database Will Be Created
Irrigation Database will be established within the scope of agricultural drought combating efforts. Steps will be taken to transform groundwater irrigation projects operated by irrigation cooperatives into drip irrigation systems. Irrigation plans will be created in irrigation networks and limited irrigation programs will be implemented when necessary.
According to possible drought scenarios, the product pattern will be planned on a provincial basis, and risky areas will be directed to forage crop production. Again, during possible drought periods, animal feed (coarse and concentrate) supply security will be ensured.
A program will be determined to prevent economic speculation arising from the supply and demand effects of drought and to create the necessary stocks of goods. In order to reduce the risk of food shortage due to drought, the use of certified seeds that increase productivity in agriculture will be increased.
With the studies to be carried out, necessary measures will be taken for the production of qualified seeds of new drought-tolerant plant varieties. Again, during dry periods, water harvesting techniques will be applied to conserve water in the soil.
In order to increase the efficiency of irrigation in the fight against agricultural drought, trainings will be organized for farmers. In order to popularize the use of modern and climate-friendly irrigation techniques, extensive extension activities will be carried out for farmers.
By implementing all these works, the impact of possible dry periods on agriculture will be minimized.
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