Water key ingredient in Turkish farming

Journal Article · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy

OSTI ID:175784

Aydin, M ^[1]

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1. Cukorova Univ., Adana (Turkey)

Turkey, like most other Mediterranean countries, is an arid country, notes Mehmet Aydin, professor of soil science at Cukorova University in Adama, Turkey. And like most other Mediterranean countries, Aydin adds, Turkey is experiencing a population beam. In the past three decades, this increase in population has put a strain on the land. The boom, in fact, {open_quotes}has led to overgrazing, more intense cultivation, and greater harvest of shrubs and trees for firewood.{close_quotes} In 1987, the Turkish government launched the Southeastern Anatolian Development Project. Its goal is to bring irrigation and hydroelectric power to the area along the banks of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. {open_quotes}When the project is complete, it will carry irrigation water to an estimated 4 million acres and create some 26 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year,{close_quotes} Aydin notes. The Southeastern Anatolian Development Project {open_quotes}will usher in an era of modern agriculture for Turkish farmers, one based on high-yield systems that are as sustainable as they are productive,{close_quotes} Aydin concludes.

• OSTI ID: 175784
• Journal Information: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy, Journal Name: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 10; ISSN FARPEL; ISSN 0887-8218
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
AGRICULTURE
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
IRRIGATION
TURKEY