Türkiye’s agriculture faces severe water crisis in Cukurova region

With climate change Türkiye is experiencing one of its toughest periods in agriculture, as warnings about inadequate water investments and poor water management have gone unheeded.

The fertile Cukurova plains are now facing a severe water shortage. The Seyhan Left Bank Irrigation Association has formally notified village administrations and relevant bodies to cease autumn planting, stating that water cannot be provided even if planting occurs.

Official notification to farmers: ‘Do not plant, no water available’

Seyhan Left Bank Irrigation Union published an official letter on July 24, 2024, warning farmers against autumn planting due to insufficient water reserves.

The letter states that as of July 12, 2024, there is 357.31 hm3 of usable water in the Seyhan Dam, which will only be enough to meet the needs of perennial crops such as citrus fruits, various orchards and saplings.

Impact on farmers and agricultural output

Farmers in the region were explicitly told not to plant fall crops unless they could independently irrigate using resources such as drainage channels. After this letter was sent to 102 villages in Ceyhan, Yuregir, Saricam and Karatas, farmers expressed their disappointment, emphasizing the dire consequences of such directives.

Cukurova is famous for its corn and cotton production, which consume a lot of water in their planting and growing. The region’s soil is quite fertile, and dozens of different fruits and vegetables can be produced.

This water crisis in the Cukurova region of Adana is not an isolated incident; similar problems are being reported across Türkiye.

Farmer testimonies: Rising costs and inefficiencies

Farmers shared their grievances, stating that water is the largest input in the agricultural sector. They stated that consolidation of 378 irrigation unions since 2018 has caused significant operational difficulties.

The high cost of water, inefficient service delivery and lack of timely support have further exacerbated problems. Some farmers said:

We are using infrastructure from the 1950s. Modern technology is urgently needed to manage water efficiently.

Water shortages during critical periods, such as a three-day outage during a heat wave, seriously affect crop yields.

Irrigation costs have skyrocketed and fees have risen to 1,800 Turkish lira per acre. Farmers cannot pay these fees before receiving crop income.

Despite various legal efforts by the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, such as water action plans and the establishment of a Water Board, farmers believe that the measures are inadequate.

Experts and farmers emphasize the need for urgent and effective water management strategies. If an urgent action plan is not implemented, Türkiye’s agricultural centers risk turning into barren landscapes.