Developments and problems in th e management of irrigation facilities in Turkey and some other countries: Case of Lower Seyhan Plain

This study, firstly, analyses use and development of land and water resourcesin Turkey and in the world and compares management of irrigation facilities andassociations in Turkey with those of other countries.Secondly, existing structure of water management and its most importantcomponents, irrigation associations, were investigated and services provided by themwere evaluated based on farmers' opinions.Turkey, though not very rich in terms of water resources, has adequate waterresources to meet its needs, irrigation investments were given importance,particularly in planned period. Turkish government accelerated transferring irrigationfacilities constructed and operated by the state agencies to irrigation associations,during recent years. Although farmer participation to irrigation management has beenachieved to some extent with this way, the study found that farmers were dissatisfiedwith the cost and quality of irrigation management that the irrigation associationswere providing.Keywords: Water Resources, Irrigation Policies, Irrigation Management, Water UserAssociations, Lower Seyhan Plain