Konya implements digital agriculture and wastewater reuse projects

In Konya, Turkey, new initiatives are being implemented to enhance agricultural sustainability and environmental protection through technology and resource management.

A cooperation protocol has been signed between the Konya Forestry Regional Directorate and the Konya Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the project will research the safe and effective use of treated wastewater and sewage sludge. Scientific studies will assess how these organic-rich materials impact soil fertility, water retention, and carbon storage. Based on the findings, reforestation efforts will be conducted using plant species suitable for the local conditions of Konya to rehabilitate degraded land.

Simultaneously, the Konya Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry is integrating digital farming technologies to optimize crop protection. In the Çumra district, pheromone-based tracking cameras have been installed to monitor the codling moth population in real time. This digital system allows for precise timing of pesticide applications based on pest population levels and temperature data. The goal is to reduce input costs for farmers, minimize unnecessary chemical use, and protect both human health and the environment from agricultural runoff.