THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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Dursun Yıldız, Chairperson of the Water Policies Association, warned about the droughts, water allocation crises and inter-basin water transfers across Turkey and emphasised that the current water management approach should be radically changed.
Stating that Türkiye is under the influence of climate change, Dursun Yıldız said, “Water resources are distributed unevenly across the country and the severity and frequency of regional droughts have increased. Therefore, this situation directly affects agricultural and urban water allocations and in this framework a holistic and participatory approach should be adopted in water management.”
GROUNDWATER UNDER THREAT…
Reminded that not only in Manisa province, but also in many provinces, especially in Ankara, Gaziantep and Balıkesir, official warnings have been issued for the efficient use of water, Yıldız noted, “Groundwater is being rapidly withdrawn and pollution rates are increasing, so Türkiye now needs an urgent and radical change of thinking in water management.”
A NEW SYSTEM, A NEW APPROACH…
Pointing out that the solution is a ‘basin-based, transparent, participatory and scientifically based water management’, Yıldız added, “Before taking decisions such as water transfer between basins, it is absolutely necessary to determine how efficiently water is used in the relevant regions. Water users and managers should abandon their current thinking patterns and water efficiency mobilisation should be considered as a necessity, not just a target.”
