Water Experts from the Region Meet in İzmir to Advance Cross-Border Knowledge Sharing on Digital Solutions for Agriculture
Agriculture consumes over 80% of the Middle East’s freshwater resources, a reality that affects farmers, families, and communities across the region every single day. In response to this pressing challenge, professionals and governmental water representatives from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Türkiye gathered in İzmir from 23–25 September for a leading regional study tour focused on digital solutions for sustainable water management in agriculture. This study tour, under Blue Peace Middle East, was fully organized and implemented by the Turkish Water Institute (SUEN) through the generous support of Switzerland’s Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
“With the awareness of the increasing pressures on our region’s water resources, we have set our foremost goal as enhancing efficiency in the agricultural sector, which consumes the largest share of water. Within this context, SUEN’s second project is being implemented under the theme of water efficiency, within the Blue Peace Middle East umbrella. We believe that the exchange of knowledge, practices and experiences gained through these efforts will provide valuable contributions to all our countries.”- Dr. Tuğba Evrim MADEN, Blue Peace ME Managing Committee Member & Policy Development Coordinator, Turkish Water Institute (SUEN)
Hosted at Türkiye’s International Agricultural Research and Training Center (UTAEM), the three-day program showcased how technology can make a tangible difference for farmers and communities alike. Through keynote sessions, case studies, and immersive field visits, participants explored tools like remote sensing, satellite monitoring, IoT applications, sensors, and automation systems that can help water reach the crops that need it most. Presentations highlighted Türkiye’s digital platforms for drought risk mapping and irrigation management, while delegates from the other Blue Peace ME countries shared experiences from their countries, fostering cross-border knowledge sharing.
“In a water-scarce country like Jordan, remote sensing ensures that the amount of water used to irrigate the land is appropriate without excessive or deficiencies. Remote sensing data can help identify areas where irrigation efficiency could be improved, guiding investments in modern irrigation infrastructure or techniques.” said Eng. Mohammed Al-Roubi, Head of Contracts Department, Water Users Directorate and Associations, Jordan Valley Authority, Ministry of Water and Irrigation – Jordan. “It also allows for the identification of high-water-use crops or inefficient irrigation methods, suggesting opportunities for optimizing water use or transitioning to more water-efficient farming practices.”
The study tour went beyond theory, offering practical, on field exposure. Field visits in İzmir showcased drone-assisted crop monitoring, sensor-based irrigation systems, and smart water management solutions in action. “Water productivity is not just a technical challenge; it is central to food security, rural livelihoods, and regional cooperation,” emphasized experts during the opening session, setting a forward-looking tone for the discussions on data-driven governance and sustainable agriculture.
While technology formed the backbone of the study tour, the program also reinforced Blue Peace ME’s mission on transforming water from a potential source of tension into a catalyst for regional cooperation and sustainability. By bringing together practitioners and governmental water representatives from across the Middle East, the study tour created a vibrant space for knowledge exchange and joint action.
The study tour concluded with participants receiving certificates and, more importantly, a shared commitment to advance smart irrigation practices and safeguard the region’s transboundary water resources. With initiatives like this, the region is not only adapting to water challenges, but turning them into opportunities for countries and communities to come together with a shared vision toward a stronger, smarter, and more resilient future.
“The workshop was highly distinctive and important in enhancing the exchange of expertise among the participating countries, particularly in the use of satellite imagery and remote sensing technologies to monitor crop water consumption, in addition to the design of modern irrigation systems and the application of integrated water management.”, concluded Eng. Ayed Hussein Kazem, Senior Chief Engineer, Center for Studies and Engineering Designs, Ministry of Water Resources of Iraq. “Iraq is keen to maintain continuous communication with colleagues from other countries in order to seize opportunities for transferring this knowledge and applying it in the fields of agriculture and irrigation, while working towards adopting a pioneering project that would contribute to the development of this vital sector.”