THE OVERVIEWS OF WATER USER ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTS TO IRRIGATION WATER PRICING AND MANAGEMENT: THE GAP-HARRAN PLAIN IRRIGATIONS SAMPLING
SULAMA BİRLİK BAŞKANLARININ SU FİYATLANDIRMASI VE İŞLETMECİLİĞİNE BAKIŞLARI: GAP-HARRAN OVASI SULAMALARI ÖRNEKLEMESİ

Author : Mustafa Hakkı AYDOĞDU -- Bahri KARLI - Murat AYDOĞDU
Number of pages : 167-177

Abstract

Agricultural irrigation is the largest water user groups in Turkey and this sector has structurel problems. It is a must to operate and manage water resources effectively and efficiently. Irrigation water operations were previously under the authority of the the State. Then transferred to water user associatins (WUA) since 1996 and rate of transferred reached to 96%. Increasing ownership and efficiency of irrigation systems by users is one of the basic expectations. However, it is obvious that, for various reasons, it could not provide the expected benefits in the current situation.WUA’s are managed by the president based on elections from among the farmers. There are 22 WUAs in Harran Plain. It is aimed to determine the views and perceptions of the presidents’ to irrigation water management and operations, and also to pricing. The survey was conducted through face to face interviews. Likert types questions were used where confidence level is accepted as 85% in general. It is determined that the presidents’ have enough knowledge about WUAs and the legislation and practices changes are not followed enough. Existing structure does not fulfill need sufficiently, water charges is low and need to be increased, water charges dont pay on time by farmers, investments and management decisions does not satisfactorily in WUAs. This study is entirely based on field data, is the first of its type in the GAP and one of the firsts in the Turkey. The results will be helpful to guide to the institutions involved in water management, organizations and decision makers.

Keywords

Water Management and Operations, Pricing, WUAs, GAP-Harran Plain, Agricultural Irrigations

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