Growing More While Using Less: Precision Irrigation Solutions Bring New Opportunities for Potato Cultivation in Turkey

While conventional sprinkler systems are still the most widely used irrigation technology across Turkey, increasing water stress is now making farmers switch to more economical and sustainable alternatives. Precision irrigation systems have raised significant interest among farmers, conserving water, energy and minimizing fertilizer use. This article explores the advantages and growing popularity of drip irrigation solutions for potato production in Central Anatolia. 

_{Saving on Water and Fertilizers}

In Turkey, agriculture has traditionally been the biggest consumer of freshwater resources. However, population growth, extended drought periods, and rising temperatures have all made water scarcity more acute in recent years.

The agricultural sector accounts for approximately 74% of the country's total water consumption; thus, examining the efficiency of irrigation practices is essential to ensure sustainable levels of water consumption. While traditional sprinkler irrigation systems can result in up to 60% of water loss, correctly designed and installed precision irrigation systems can make the figure as low as 5%.

"If we talk about potato cultivation, drip irrigation provides a minimum of 25-30% savings in both energy and water consumption," says Kemal Keceli, Irrigation Export and Marketing Specialist at Pipelife Turkey. "In other words, while you can irrigate an area of 200 decares with sprinklers, you can irrigate an area of at least 250 decares using the same water tonnage with drip lines."

Another significant advantage for farmers is the reduced use of fertilizers. Due to sharp price increases, farmers seek methods to optimize fertilizer use to maintain competitiveness. As precision systems bring precisely dosed amounts of nutrients directly to the root zone, the overall fertilizer consumption can be reduced by 8-15%. Moreover, unlike rotational sprinklers, precision systems allow for avoiding unfertilized patches or overfertilization of certain areas, especially in windy conditions.

_{Precision Irrigation for Potato Production in Central Anatolia}

Spanning over 163,000 m² area, Central Anatolia is the largest agricultural region in Turkey. Despite the dry, continental climate, the region has become a major producer and exporter of cereals, sugar beet and sunflower. The cultivation of other crops has been on the rise as well, with potatoes recently emerging as a new market opportunity for local farmers.

"Potato yields here depend on the water amount received — in arid areas, the yields can be as low as 150 kilograms per acre. However, if optimal growth conditions are met, harvests of 3,000-3,500 kilograms per acre can be obtained," says Mustafa Özcan, Irrigation Customer Representative at Pipelife.

This spring, one of Central Anatolia's major potato producers made the decision to invest in a water-saving precision irrigation setup for their potato fields, totaling 6250 decares in three locations: Karaman, Eskisehir and Afyonkarahisar. The client chose Pipelife's systems based on favorable reviews from fellow farmers and wholesalers, as well as their own previous positive experience with Pipelife's sprinkler systems.

Pipelife’s products were sold and supplied via Teknotar, one of the leading irrigation equipment wholesalers in Central Anatolia. The installation of drip lines started at the beginning of March and was completed in all three fields in roughly one month. In total, more than 7,020,000 meters of Pipelife's Ø16 mm drip line with midi drippers spaced 30 centimeters apart and a flow rate of 1.6 liters/hour were used.

"The customer was immediately impressed by the quality of the drip lines and coils. The installation proceeded smoothly without any issues or delays, a crucial factor for farms with extensive irrigated areas," says Özcan.

_{Maximizing Yields, Minimizing Resources}

The adoption of precision irrigation systems represents a significant step towards sustainable agricultural practices in Turkey. By minimizing water and fertilizer usage while maximizing crop yields, farmers can not only mitigate the impacts of water scarcity and rising input costs but also improve the overall efficiency and profitability of their operations.

The potato harvest season in Central Anatolia will start in October, and the customer is genuinely looking forward to the first-year results.