Desire for Greener Land
Desire for Greener Land
Desire for Greener Land
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Assessment<br />
Impacts of the Technology<br />
Production and socio-economic benefits Production and socio-economic disadvantages<br />
increased fodder production<br />
increased crop yield<br />
increased fodder quality<br />
increased irrigation water availability / quality<br />
increased farm income<br />
diversification of income sources<br />
increased demand <strong>for</strong> irrigation water<br />
Socio-cultural benefits Socio-cultural disadvantages<br />
improved conservation / erosion knowledge<br />
community institution strengthening<br />
conflict mitigation<br />
improved health<br />
Ecological benefits Ecological disadvantages<br />
reduced evaporation<br />
increased water quantity<br />
increased soil moisture<br />
increased water quality<br />
reduced surface runoff<br />
Off-site benefits Off-site disadvantages<br />
increased water availability<br />
Contribution to human well-being/livelihoods<br />
Certainly the technology supplies richness, easiness and low water consumption. It supports high quality and quantity of<br />
production due to the fact that plants grow without no water or excessive water stress.<br />
Benefits/costs according to land user<br />
Benefits compared with costs short-term: long-term:<br />
Establishment negative very positive<br />
Maintenance/recurrent very positive very positive<br />
Short- and long-term benefits are very positive. But the technique is new and there is not enough knowledge of this system, especially in<br />
fertigation (watering + fertilizing). First investment costs are high and users do not believe drip water will feed the plants.<br />
Acceptance/adoption:<br />
The drip irrigation system is actively applied in 10% of the Apak Yayla area by 290 families, representing 30% of the population. In recent<br />
times, the area affected reached 20%, because the Turkish Government gives credit with no interest to farmers in dry regions. Seventy<br />
per cent of these land user families have implemented the technology with external material support; thirty per cent have implemented it<br />
voluntarily. Initially, only rich farmers used this system because it is expensive.<br />
There is a general and growing trend towards spontaneous adoption of the technology amongst farmers. The government has responded<br />
positively to this situation by giving no-interest credit <strong>for</strong> 5 years.<br />
Concluding statements<br />
Strengths and how to sustain/improve Weaknesses and how to overcome<br />
Minimum water use, easy using, low energy demand (fuel, electric,<br />
labour, etc.) Subsidizing.<br />
Sufficient watering enables an increased crop yield education<br />
regarding the watering frequency would be useful.<br />
Ease of watering with this system Training and subsidies.<br />
Users do not know how to use this new system exactly. In<br />
particular, farmers do not know “fertigation” methods <strong>for</strong> their<br />
different plants such as maize, sugar beet, potato, and orchards. <br />
More education and demonstration of fertigation methods by state<br />
institutions.<br />
Drip irrigation system has a short life (1-5 years) UV-tolerant<br />
plastic must be manufactured and used.<br />
Key reference(s): Kara, M., 2005. Sulama ve Sulama Tesisleri. S.Ü. Ziraat Fak. Tarmsal Yaplar ve Sulama Böl., Konya, Turkiye.<br />
Şahin, M. ve Kara, M., 2006. Konya İklim Koşullarnda Farkl Sulama Uygulamalarnn Çim Gelişimine Etkisi ve Su Kstna Yönelik Sulama Alternatifleri. S.Ü. Ziraat<br />
Fak. Derg., 20(39), 118-128, Konya.<br />
Contact person(s): Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Zengin, University of Selcuk, Faculty of Agriculture; mzengin@selcuk.edu.tr<br />
132 DESIRE – WOCAT <strong>Desire</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Greener</strong> <strong>Land</strong>