Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, İbrahim Yumaklı, emphasized the importance of both combating disasters and managing floodwaters, stating, “Floods and overflows can serve as water sources for dry periods before they turn into disasters.”
Minister Yumaklı attended the “Water-Efficient Cities and Inter-municipal Water Partnership Event” held at the Ministry.
Pointing out that Türkiye, located in the Mediterranean basin, will be significantly affected by climate change, Yumaklı noted that droughts, forest fires, floods, and overflows will be direct impacts of climate change.
Yumaklı stated that the Earth has experienced its five hottest years in the past 170 years and said, “Droughts that used to occur every 10 years now happen every 5–6 years. Thermometers reached 38 degrees Celsius in northern Siberia. The world’s fourth largest lake, the Aral Sea, has shrunk by 90 percent. In 2020, 25 million people from 94 different countries migrated due to climate change. In our country, while we experience dry years, the severity and duration of droughts have also started to increase. In the 2023 water year, rainfall dropped by 6 percent compared to the long-term average.”
Yumaklı warned that by 2030, Türkiye’s population is expected to increase by 10 percent, while water resources are projected to decrease by 20 percent. He noted that if necessary measures are not taken, almost 50 percent of the population and 80 percent of irrigated agricultural land may face water scarcity by 2030.
“WE PROVIDED 1.8 BILLION LIRA IN GRANTS FOR PRESSURIZED IRRIGATION SYSTEMS”
Highlighting that Türkiye, which is under water stress, has an annual per capita available water supply of 1,313 cubic meters but that this amount could drop below 1,000 cubic meters if necessary measures are not taken, Yumaklı continued:
“In the last 21 years, we have launched 10,086 facilities with investments totaling 1.265 trillion Turkish liras in the water sector. Through these efforts, we have achieved significant milestones in efficient water use. The number of dams has reached 1,018, reservoirs and weirs 726, and the annual amount of drinking water provided 5.2 billion cubic meters. We increased the irrigated area to 71 million decares, consolidated land to 73 million decares, wastewater treatment plants to 24, and underground storage and artificial recharge facilities to 127. The use rate of pressurized pipeline irrigation systems rose from 6 percent to 33 percent. To ensure water efficiency from source to field, we provide a 50 percent grant for individual pressurized irrigation systems. In this framework, we have granted 1.8 billion Turkish liras in support to more than 50,000 projects.”
“AIMING TO REDUCE WATER LOSSES”
Yumaklı recalled the launch of the Water Efficiency Mobilization under the auspices of First Lady Emine Erdoğan, providing details on past initiatives and legislative regulations.
He shared that the Ministry is working with municipalities to reduce water losses, increase alternative water sources, and expand the sponge city model. The goal is to reduce water losses to 25 percent by 2033 and to 10 percent by 2050.
Yumaklı noted that last year, approximately 6 billion cubic meters of water entered Türkiye’s drinking and utility networks, with an average loss rate of 32 percent. “In 2022, nearly 2 billion cubic meters of water were lost before reaching users. Had we achieved a 25 percent loss rate, we would have saved an amount of water equivalent to the annual needs of 10 million people,” he said.
Yumaklı also highlighted that 44 percent of wastewater and 66 percent of water from agricultural runoff in Turkey are reusable. By treating and reusing urban and agricultural wastewater, pressure on urban water supply would decrease.
He stated that they are collaborating with municipalities that have exemplary practices in this area, viewing gray water from buildings, accommodations, and enterprises as a water source rather than waste.
Emphasizing the importance of expanding rainwater harvesting practices, Yumaklı remarked:
“In this period, where floods and similar disasters occur frequently, it is crucial to both combat disasters and utilize floodwaters. Floods, before turning into disasters, can be a water source for dry periods and increase cities’ resilience to disasters. We must integrate water efficiency into our municipal practices to create self-sufficient cities with secure water supplies. As the climate changes, we must enhance our adaptability. Without delay, we will unite around a shared vision to build water-efficient cities.”
During the event, a protocol was signed among 18 municipalities that joined the Inter-municipal Water Partnership program.
After his speech, Minister Yumaklı visited the stands set up in the event area.
