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Desire for Greener Land

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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>

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