Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
50th Croation and 10th international symposium on agriculture, Zagreb, Hırvatistan, 16 - 20 Şubat 2015, ss.42
Water is the vital component of life. Although it is a renewable source, it is a limited resource
too. Water management encompasses the activities and services required for development,
distribution and various uses of water resources. The basic target in agricultural water
management is to prevent waste of water and to provide efficient water use in agriculture.
Water is essential in production of all kind of goods and various amounts of water are used
in production processes of goods and produces. The water used in production process of an
agricultural or industrial goods or services is called “virtual water”. The concept of “virtual
water” allows us to comprehend the role of water in production processes. With regard to
available water resources, Turkey is classified as country experiencing water deficits and
it is expected to be classified as water-poor country in the next decade. Therefore, Turkey
should make a great effort in water resources planning and management. Since agricultural
production is the greatest water consuming sector in Turkey, water saving should initially be
planned in food production. There is a close relationship between virtual water transfer-trade
and water resources management. Virtual water trade is a significant tool in efficient water
resources management. The countries experiencing water deficits may not produce the goods
and services requiring large amounts of water and export such products and transfer virtual
water. In this way, water saving is provided in one hand and maximum outcomes are achieved
per water unit on the other hand. In this study, agricultural water use of Turkey was briefly
assessed and effects of virtual water trade on agricultural water management were discussed.