The Evaluation of Polatlı District Basri Village Irrigation Cooperative in Terms of Irrigation Management

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the management problems of the Basri Village Irrigation Cooperative operating in Polatlı district of Ankara province and to assess the water usage behaviors of the farmers. In terms of irrigation management, issues such as irrigation area, soil and water resources, product design, services and responsibilities and status of agricultural activities were discussed and current problems were identified. The cooperative has 64 members and surveys were conducted in the form of face-to-face interviews with 26 members and board members. Present findings revealed that all members use sprinkler irrigation method, 50% of the members were primary, 35% were high school and 15% were university graduates. Although there is no irrigation fee in the cooperative, the cooperative pays for the maintenance and repair, electricity and other costs. About 96% of the members stated that the irrigation time was determined by looking at the plant and 4% estimated it. The 4% of the participants evaluated cooperative management as poor and 23% evaluated as adequate. Regarding the supervision, 8% of the members assessed cooperative management as good and 15% stated to be sufficient in managing. Solutions were proposed for irrigation management and water management problems of farmers in irrigation cooperative operating in the study area.