CONSERVING OF THE RESOURCES
How do manage water resources more productive in water scant agro-zones?
Irrigated agriculture with a world average of 70% withdrawal is the largest fresh water user among all- consumptions and is even higher than 80% in some regions such as semi-arid Konya plain of Turkey. It is impossible to make economic crop production in such environments without irrigation especially for summer crops. Over water abstractions from the groundwater reservoir is inevitable for meeting whole current crop water requirements so this situation may result serious environmental problems such as formation of sinkholes in some places. Following necessary precautions can be taken into considerations for sustainable usages of current water supp lies in water shortage ecosystems like Konya plain of Turkey; 1- Crop pattern should be redesigned in accordance of safely available water supplies, 2- Implementing deficit irrigation program. In that regard, up to 25% deficit irrigation can be suggested for some crops, 3-Developing and widely planting drought resistant cultivars, 4- Improving irrigation areas of practicing pressurized irrigation technologies, 5- Replacement of open channels water delivery systems to the pipe networks, 6- Farmers should be trained about correct agro-water management at farm level with rich visual documents, and 7- Rain-fed farming system could be done for some crops.