Water source, irrigation management and performance in irrigation cooperatives: a comparative analysis in Central Anatolia, Türkiye

This study evaluates irrigation cooperatives operating in the Central Anatolia Region of Türkiye in terms of water source, irrigation infrastructure, water management practices, and irrigation performance. The study is based on field survey data collected from 50 irrigation cooperatives representing groundwater-based, surface water-based, and mixed irrigation systems. Survey findings were cross-checked with official records obtained from the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) and the General Directorate of Agricultural Reform (TRGM). The results indicate that groundwater-based systems dominate the region, accounting for 72% of the sampled cooperatives. Irrigation performance varies according to water source characteristics, with groundwater-based cooperatives exhibiting the highest irrigation ratio (82.14%), followed by surface water systems (71.79%) and mixed systems (67.82%). Pressurized irrigation methods are widely adopted, particularly sprinkler irrigation (64.40%) and drip irrigation (34.88%). The findings further reveal that water measurement infrastructure and volumetric pricing systems remain insufficiently developed. Although approximately half of the cooperatives employ water measurement, time-based pricing systems (70%) remain dominant, while volumetric pricing is rarely utilized. High energy costs constitute the most critical problem in groundwater-based systems, whereas water scarcity and infrastructure deficiencies are more prominent in surface water systems. Overall, the study demonstrates that water source significantly shapes irrigation infrastructure, management practices, irrigation performance, and sustainability conditions in irrigation cooperatives. The findings highlight the importance of improving monitoring systems, water measurement infrastructure, efficient pricing mechanisms, and sustainable groundwater management under increasing drought and water scarcity conditions.