The Past and Present of Irrigation Services in Turkey

Abstract

Irrigation is the utilization of water being applied to the soil for assisting in the growing of crops. Irrigation is quite important for the World in general and it plays a crucial role in growth and development at local, national, and international levels. The regions, which have been called the cradle of civilization since ancient times, have always been established near the water basins. Furthermore, various civilizations have developed in the lands where the irrigation gave life to these lands. Irrigation has created a new basis on which civilizations have risen and as a result it has deeply influenced their social development. Civilizations have been born and turned into ashes due to the development and collapse of their irrigation systems, while other civilizations have lived on for thousands of years with their sustained irrigation systems. It is essential to comprehend the history of irrigation development as it assists in augmenting knowledge about the traditional irrigation systems. While many people may dismiss traditional irrigation systems; similar concepts are even used today quite successfully. The past experience related to traditional irrigation systems can also give us valuable insight for modern systems. Such lessons that enrich our current design and operation alternatives must be explored. This study has examined the role and importance of irrigation, historical irrigation structures and approaches in irrigation management in the ancient civilizations established in the world and in the Anatolian peninsula, the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Turkey. Remarkable developments have been made for irrigation services in Turkey, especially during the period of Republic. Approximately, 66% of the 8.5 million hectares of agricultural land which are economically irrigable in Turkey are irrigated currently. Furthermore, irrigation works of remaining 2.92 million hectares of land have been carried out.