In a concerted effort to tackle water scarcity and enhance agricultural water efficiency in the Middle East, the Turkish Water Institute (SUEN) organized a regional workshop and observational study tour on "Good Governance in Irrigation" from 3 to 6 June 2024, in Adana, Türkiye. Supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) as part of the Blue Peace Middle East initiative, the study tour gathered 25 irrigation professionals from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Türkiye.
The four-day workshop and observational study tour programme explored governance practices crucial for sustainable irrigation. Participants engaged in interactive sessions, exchanging insights on irrigation challenges and best practices aligned with the Blue Peace ME's mandate for regional water cooperation.
Participants were introduced to the Blue Peace Middle East initiative, gaining insight into why agricultural water use efficiency was selected as a key thematic area. They gained an understanding of the completed and ongoing work on “Disseminating Knowledge to Improve Agricultural Water Use Efficiency” project under the umbrella of the Water-Energy-Food-Environment (WEFE) nexus.
Throughout the workshop, experts presented theoretical frameworks and practical examples of irrigation and water management. Participants learnt more about water's transformative role and how to advocate for enhanced regional cooperation in water management and explored the WEFE Nexus, sustainable irrigation strategies and technologies, and climate-smart agriculture. Additionally, they learnt about Türkiye's innovative infrastructure models and land consolidation practices, crucial for optimizing water use efficiency.
Known for its extensive agricultural activities, Adana, was the ideal setting for the workshop. The programme dedicated significant time to field visits, allowing participants to tour various irrigation facilities and Water Users Associations (WUAs) to observe the practices firsthand.
They visited the Seyhan Dam, the largest in the Adana region, and the Seyhan Irrigation Union, the largest Water User Association (WUA) in the country. These visits provided insights into advanced AI-supported automation systems that optimize remote upstream and downstream water and flood management. Another significant visit was to the Zerdali Dam in Kozan, where participants examined the installed pre-paid meters on site. This innovative system has achieved up to 50% in water savings.
Moreover, they explored the Imamoğlu irrigation scheme project, benefiting 2,240 farmers, on the ground. The project area boasts an advanced, sensor-based, autonomous water management system that utilizes a digital twin based on GIS. This advanced setup ensures precise water delivery to hydrants through communication and observation/measurement stations equipped with AI-supported management devices.
Farmers can now effortlessly irrigate their lands from anywhere, at any time, simply by logging into the system from their mobile phones. This innovation eliminates the need for physical presence in the fields. Furthermore, the system provides real-time monitoring of field humidity, air temperature, and rainfall probabilities, enabling farmers to make informed decisions based on accurate and instant data.
On the final day of the programme, participants delivered presentations on irrigation governance and good practices in their respective countries. This session generated a vibrant exchange of knowledge and experiences, highlighting diverse challenges and innovative solutions.
The workshop and study tour marked a significant step towards fostering regional dialogue and cooperation in sustainable water management in the Middle East. With a commitment to advancing governance and efficiency in irrigation, SUEN and its partners aim to continue driving positive change in the Middle East's water landscape.
Building on the success of this workshop, SUEN announced plans for a follow-up study tour in 2025 focusing on "Remote Sensing and ICT in Agricultural Water Use Efficiency." This study tour aims to leverage technological advancements to further enhance irrigation practices across the Middle East.