Turkey Agricultural Drought Combat Strategy and Action Plan is Implemented

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Vahit Kirişci attended the 2023-2027 Turkey Agricultural Drought Combat Strategy and Action Plan Promotion Meeting. Making a speech at the meeting, Minister Kirişci said that the period in which this action plan came to the agenda was extremely critical, and in this respect, it would have different effects and contributions than other action plans. Kirişci said, “Drought is an issue that we have to accept. Minimizing this and taking measures regarding it require some measures that we need to implement without wasting time.” said.

Emphasizing that water is a critical issue, Minister Kirişci said, “Agriculture, food, water and energy, which have been at the top of the world's agenda for years... All of these are the field of activity of our ministry. Turkey is a country in a semi-arid location in the Mediterranean Region. This country is a country that uses 112 billion cubic meters of 58 billion cubic meters of water, 58-75 percent of this 76 billion cubic meters for agricultural irrigation, 11-12 percent for drinking and 10 percent for industrial purposes. he said.

“We Will Become a Water Poor Country”

Pointing out that Turkey has become a country that experiences more water stress with the increase in its population, Kirişçi said, “This is the figure we get when we divide the existing water by 85 million, which is 1323 liters. This is the per capita water potential. Considering the population and industrialization process, even if we are in the category of countries under water stress with 1323 liters today, it will decrease to 2030 liters in 750 and beyond, and in this context, it will become a water-poor country. After this process has passed, we can no longer go back to the good days we wished for. The most important thing we need to do is to slow down this process and minimize the effects of this process as much as possible.” used the phrase.

Kirişci stated that although Turkey is the country that has the least contribution to global warming, it passed the Paris Agreement in 2021, and said, “Therefore, we did not say 'our responsibility is at the minimum level in this matter', we have exhibited a behavior that will set an example for the international community.” made its assessment.

Stating that the drought is an issue that needs to be accepted, Vahit Kirişci said, “Minimizing it and taking measures regarding it require some measures that we need to implement without wasting time.” said.

Kirişci also drew attention to the measures to be taken in the agricultural field and said:

“We absolutely need to carry out studies for both irrigated and dry agriculture and expand these studies. In this context, I would like to express my regret that the practice called direct sowing, direct planting has not become widespread in our country. My field of specialization is tillage. We still have not been able to popularize direct sowing and direct planting. We do not see examples of this. This is an important topic and title for our geography. Our efficiency may seem to have decreased, but when we calculate our gain and cost in economic terms, our gain is quite high. This must be taken into account.”

Noting that the implementation of the plans is more important than their preparation, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Kirişci said that the follow-up of these plans is also very important. Pointing out that some sanctions should be applied to those who do not fulfill these responsibilities, Kirişci said, “We did not succeed, we could not overcome it” is not a matter we can say. We need to take a firm and stable stance on these issues. The sustainability and continuity of these studies is very important.” used the phrase.

“There Should Be a Planning That Centers Water”

Noting that agriculture and forest will form the axis of the Century of Turkey, Kirişci made the following assessments:

“Education is at the forefront of environmentally friendly practices. In order to get results, this education is necessary from primary school age. The fact that we, as a water-related ministry, is at 34 percent in pressure irrigation, can be like a success for us when we compare the point we have come from in the past. Since agricultural irrigation is the area where water is consumed the most, we must achieve this quickly. It is important that we quickly review the support we provide as a ministry for this and ensure that it becomes widespread. We said a plan that puts water in the center. If, let's say, there is such a shortage of water in the Konya region, if we still consent to the production of products that consume a lot of water, there is something strange here as well. According to water, agriculture and water-centered planning should be our sine qua non.”

Sharing the information that a bill on agriculture will be submitted to the relevant commission this week with the approval of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Minister Kirişci said, “With this package, many issues that we have been missing for years, the bag law regarding the chronic problems of agriculture and forest, have been enacted and regulations have been made in many areas. will have been made. Planning will be very important for us, considering the water-based planning issue and some other critical issues. In 2023, when we enter the Turkish Century, we will all be very happy if the bag of laws becomes law even before the elections. Both the consumer and the producer will be very happy.” said.

Speaking in the program, Yunus Kılıç, Chairman of the Parliamentary Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs Commission, said, “Turkey is a country with water constraints. We need to better manage the processes that will ensure that the water is in the field.” he said.