Minister Pakdemirli, remarking the aim towards making total amount of 8.5 million hectares of the entire irrigable land in Turkey meet to water throughout modern irrigation techniques, stated that "Within this scope all the legal and administrative measures are being taken as to bring close together more agricultural land and water. In the new system irrigation and land consolidation projects will be managed by the same authority by 2023.
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli, expressing the priority of all irrigation projects, spoke out during the conversation with the journalists in Grand National Assembly of Turkey:
"Because the coverage area is very extensive. The impact analysis of the subject is important for us. We will deal with all the uncompleted projects presented by the AK Party governments till today one by one according to the budget possibilities and importance. In this period we will also discuss what we can do using the extra-budgetary models. All the projects related to irrigation are of top priority for us. Our teams have already started studies. We concentrate especially on subjects like impact analysis, benefit analysis and economical contribution. Our competent units are preparing the necessary reports."
Pakdemirli, remarking that a substantial amount of water saving will be achieved through irrigation system, expressed that Directorate General for State Hydraulic Works will conclude 1071 pond and irrigation construction by the end of 2019.
Pakdemirli indicated that aims bringing together with water the entire total amount of 8.5 million hectares of the irrigable land by modern irrigation techniques in accordance with the 2023 targets and stated:
"Within this framework we are taking all legal and administrative measures to make more agricultural land meet with water. Till the year 2023 irrigation and land consolidation projects will be managed by the same authority in the new system. In this way two complementary projects will arrive at the conclusion fast. We will continue 50% grant and zero-interest credit supports provided to drip and rain irrigation systems for efficient water use.