Modernization of irrigation systems with canal automation in Turkey

With the ever increasing demand for water, due to population growth and the competition from nonagricultural demands in Turkey, there is an urgent need for efficient management of irrigation resources. Timely delivery of the required quantity of water is necessary for improved agricultural production. Even though this is a known fact, the lack of dependability of water supply at the farm level has been a major impediment to improved crop yields. In addition to the sociopolitical problems, one of the main causes of undependable water supply is technical in nature. Dependability of water supply can be achieved through improved operation of irrigation canals. This improvement in operation can be brought about by partial or complete automation of irrigation canals. In Turkey, the introduction of irrigation systems based on information technology for monitoring and controlling canal operation is necessary to improve water management not only at the operational level but also at the farm level. Upgrading existing canal system operations need to be done in stages as a rehabilitation program. It can be done in small areas which are easily and economically assessable for improvement. The linkage of real-time data collection and monitoring of climate data crop-soil relation parameters with the canal automation of the conveyance and distribution system is the ultimate goal, and the use of information technology below outlet level must be given and equal priority. Keywords: canal automation, irrigation management, canal control