Performance evaluation of irrigation associations; the case of Ankara province

Öz

Due to the agricultural sector having the greatest need for clean water usage, water management in this area is becoming a priority. While the development of irrigation infrastructure in Turkey is carried out by the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works, the management of irrigation services is conducted through local public institutions, irrigation associations, and irrigation cooperatives. Within this structure, irrigation associations hold a significant position as they serve as mechanisms that enable farmers' participation in water management and operate approximately 23% of the total irrigated area in Turkey. This study aims to present a comparative analysis of the performance of irrigation associations in Ankara province. This study utilizes secondary data acquired from the Akıncı Plain Irrigation Association, the Ayaş Asartepe Irrigation Association, and the Şereflikoçhisar Plain Irrigation Association, all located in Ankara Province. The unions were evaluated using globally recognized metrics for water allocation and fiscal performance. Based on the data obtained, it was determined that there were no significant differences among the three irrigation associations in the water distribution and financial performance dimensions, and that their performance was not at the desired level. For irrigation associations to achieve an effective and sustainable operational structure, it is observed that various improvements and developments are required, particularly in strengthening existing irrigation systems through digital infrastructures, restructuring collection mechanisms, and enhancing water and energy efficiency. Additionally, it can be stated that financial and personnel support from State Hydraulic Works and related organizations may be important for the unions to provide more effective services. The execution of these steps is expected to improve the efficiency of water resource use and foster the sustainability of agricultural production.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Irrigation association
• Performance indicators
• Türkiye
• Water resources.

Destekleyen Kurum

This study was not funded by any institution or organization.

Etik Beyan

There is no need to obtain permission from the ethics committee for this study.

Sulama birliklerinin performans değerlendirmesi; Ankara ili örneği

Öz

Tarımsal sektörün temiz su kullanımına en fazla ihtiyaç duyan alan olması nedeniyle, bu alanda su yönetimi giderek daha önemli bir öncelik hâline gelmektedir. Türkiye’de sulama altyapısının geliştirilmesi Devlet Su İşleri Genel Müdürlüğü tarafından gerçekleştirilirken, sulama hizmetlerinin yönetimi yerel kamu kurumları, sulama birlikleri ve sulama kooperatifleri aracılığıyla yürütülmektedir. Bu yapı içerisinde sulama birlikleri, üreticilerin su yönetimine katılımını sağlayan mekanizmalar olmaları ve Türkiye’deki toplam sulama alanının yaklaşık %23’ünü işletmeleri bakımından önemli bir konuma sahiptir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Ankara ilinde faaliyet gösteren sulama birliklerinin karşılaştırmalı performanslarını ortaya koymaktır. Çalışmanın ana materyalini, Ankara ilinde faaliyet gösteren Akıncı Ovası Sulama Birliği, Ayaş Asartepe Sulama Birliği ve Şereflikoçhisar Ovası Sulama Birliği’nden elde edilen ikincil veriler oluşturmaktadır. Birlikler, uluslararası geçerliliğe sahip su dağıtımı ve mali performans göstergeleri kullanılarak değerlendirilmiştir. Elde edilen veriler ışığında, üç sulama birliği arasında su dağıtımı ve mali performans boyutları açısından anlamlı bir farklılık bulunmadığı ve incelenen performansların istenen düzeyde olmadığı belirlenmiştir. Sulama birliklerinin etkili ve sürdürülebilir bir işletme yapısına kavuşabilmesi için mevcut sulama sistemlerinin dijital altyapılarla güçlendirilmesi, tahsilat sistemlerinin yeniden yapılandırılması ve su–enerji verimliliğinin artırılmasına yönelik çeşitli iyileştirme ve geliştirme çalışmalarına ihtiyaç olduğu görülmektedir. Ayrıca, birliklerin daha etkin hizmet sunabilmesi açısından Devlet Su İşleri ve ilgili kuruluşlardan sağlanacak mali ve personel desteğinin önemli olabileceği ifade edilebilir. Bu düzenlemeler, su kaynaklarının daha verimli kullanılmasına ve tarımsal üretimin sürdürülebilirliğine katkı sağlayacaktır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Sulama birliği
• Performans göstergeleri
• Türkiye
• Su kaynakları.

Destekleyen Kurum

Bu çalışma herhangi bir kurum veya kuruluş tarafından finanse edilmemiştir.

Etik Beyan

Bu çalışma için etik kuruldan izin alınmasına gerek yoktur.

Kaynakça

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