Water Management Challenges and Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change in Alanya, TÜRKİYE

Abstract

Climate change has emerged as a major threat to agricultural sustainability and food security, primarily through its impacts on water availability. Agriculture is highly sensitive to climatic variability, and increasing drought frequency and extreme precipitation events place significant pressure on water-dependent production systems. In Mediterranean-climate regions such as Türkiye, growing water scarcity poses a serious challenge to balancing agricultural, domestic, and tourism-related water demands. Recent shifts toward water-intensive crop cultivation in subtropical areas have further intensified pressure on limited water resources. In regions such as Alanya, inefficient irrigation practices—driven by inadequate technical knowledge regarding crop water requirements and irrigation scheduling—contribute to excessive water consumption and reduced production efficiency. Although modern irrigation systems are increasingly adopted, the absence of volumetric water monitoring and parcel-level assessment of real-time crop water needs limits their effectiveness. In addition, irrigation pricing mechanisms based on cultivated area rather than actual water use reduce incentives for water conservation. This study emphasizes the need for integrated adaptation strategies to enhance agricultural resilience under changing climatic conditions. Key measures include improving water use efficiency through precision irrigation technologies, strengthening farmer training and extension services, and modernizing irrigation infrastructure with targeted public support. The reuse of treated wastewater also represents a promising alternative for alleviating pressure on freshwater resources. Overall, sustainable water management, combined with climate-resilient agricultural practices and innovative technologies, is essential for maintaining productivity and ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability in water-stressed regions.