Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr. İbrahim Yumaklı, attended the second meeting of the National Water Board held in Ankara.
In his address, Mr. Yumaklı highlighted that global climate change poses the greatest threat to water resources, stressing the necessity of managing existing resources effectively by developing eco-friendly technologies.
Minister Yumaklı pointed out that, according to the 2023 assessments by the World Resources Institute, Türkiye is among the 25 countries at the highest risk of water scarcity.
“Our goal is ‘zero water loss,’” stated Minister Yumaklı, adding that they are continuing their “Water Efficiency Mobilization” campaign with determination to protect and manage water resources with a national consciousness.
He explained that the ministry aims to secure food supply by centering agricultural production planning around water. “Starting in September, we will implement planned production practices focused on crop production. As the ministry, we are working to expand investments in irrigation automation across the country to reduce agricultural waste and losses and enhance productivity. In regions with suitable infrastructure, we are continuing our AI-supported irrigation automation efforts. As a country, we have adopted a basin-scale management approach to ensure the rational and comprehensive management of our water resources. During the meeting, we are reviewing the approval of the Sakarya Basin River Basin Management Plan and the Marmara Basin Flood Management Plan. We continue to implement the Flood Prediction and Early Warning System (TATUS) in high-risk basins and are working to improve the system and establish it nationwide by 2028.”
“WE AIM TO REDUCE LOSSES IN DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS”
Minister Yumaklı stated that they have prepared the Water Efficiency Strategy Document and Action Plan, setting sectoral and individual water efficiency targets for 2030 and 2050.
He elaborated on their action plans for core efficiency practices:
“In this context, we aim to reduce our average daily water consumption per capita from 150 liters to 120 liters by 2030 and below 100 liters by 2050. We aim to lower water loss in drinking water systems from the current average of 32% to 25% by 2030 and 10% by 2050. We target increasing the agricultural irrigation efficiency rate from around 50% today to 60% by 2030 and 65% by 2050. In industrial production, we aim for a 30% water saving by 2030 and 50% by 2050. We closely monitor the progress of our action plans, implemented in collaboration with stakeholders, to achieve these objectives.”
Minister Yumaklı indicated that the draft Water and Flood laws would enable significant progress toward integrated water resource management when enacted, establishing a new framework for sustainable water policies and eliminating overlapping authorities among institutions.
Highlighting the goal of managing flood and drought risks proactively, before they turn into disasters, he concluded:
“Water concerns all sectors. Therefore, water management decision-making processes in our country and many others, including EU member states, are carried out through high-level councils. The National Water Board embodies this approach in our country. Through the council, we will continuously update and enhance our water management strategies. Our council holds the highest level of authority to make informed, effective, and sustainable decisions regarding our water resources. Today, with this understanding, we are evaluating the steps taken in water management, discussing future steps, and making new decisions.”