In the growing world, while agriculture is the dominant user of freshwater, water availability assures healthy food production. Thus, water stress due to population growth, climate change or malpractices threatens the food security. Water-food nexus is an integrated framework suggests that security of one resource is inevitably linked to other’s. In order to manage those resources sustainably, more nutritious food is needed to be produced with less water. The purpose of the study is to evaluate Water-Food Nexus in Upper Sakarya Watershed to aid sustainable water and agricultural management.  Sakarya River is the Turkey’s third longest river with a total length of 720 km and 1/10 of country population reside in Sakarya Watershed. Significant agricultural activities account for the highest water withdrawals in the Upper Sakarya sub-watershed. In this study, the water potential and water uses were evaluated by Water Evaluation Planning System (WEAP) model. The WEAP Model was calibrated with respect to the observed irrigation water, reservoir storage, and the streamflow data and several management alternatives which provide efficient use of water in agriculture will be evaluated. These management alternatives will include alterations in the current irrigation techniques, crop patterns, soil management practices, reuse opportunities, improvements in irrigation and storage infrastructures, etc. for both current and under future climate conditions. It is aimed that the outcomes of the study will aid decision makers developing sustainable water and agricultural management strategies in the study area.

By: Beyza Özel

Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emre Alp

Date: 17.04.2019


Last Updated:
09/05/2019 - 14:05