Turkey advances irrigation and water management projects

Turkey is advancing several water management and irrigation projects to improve agricultural productivity and water efficiency.

In Bolu, the construction of the Tekke Dam is underway as part of the Bolu-Gerede-Dörtdivan Project. Once completed, the dam is expected to provide 9.21 million cubic meters of water annually, serving both agricultural irrigation for 148,350 decares of land and drinking water for the surrounding Bolu, Gerede, and Dörtdivan regions.

In Yozgat, the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) has commissioned a 219,239-meter closed irrigation network at the Uzunlu Dam under the Turkey Irrigation Modernization Project. This system aims to increase irrigation efficiency from 35-40% to 80-90% by reducing evaporation and seepage. The project will benefit approximately 80,000 decares of farmland across the Boğazlıyan district and several surrounding villages. Local officials noted that the project comes after a period of severe drought, with the Uzunlu Dam currently at 78% active capacity following recent rainfall.