1. Aligning Local Incentives to Regional Goals: Water Conservation in the Upper Tigris-Euphrates River System Dr. Hasan Tekgüç Economics Department Mardin Artuklu University 16.06.2011 Tekguc local incentives 1

2. Euphrates-Tigris Basin in South- eastern Turkey 16.06.2011 Tekguc local incentives 2 Harran Atatürk Dam

3. Simple Idea (inspired by Saysel et al., 2002) The most important insight of the simulation exercise by Saysel et al., (2002) is that by rationing irrigation water in GAP project, the agricultural and hydropower performance can be improved. Rationing irrigation water will lead to careful use of this scarce resource and the negative externalities of excessive irrigation will be reduced. 16.06.2011 Tekguc local incentives 3

4. Simple Idea (inspired by Saysel et al., 2002) Sharing water between Turkey, Iraq, and Syria need not to be a zero-sum game. Farmers in Harran Plain in South-eastern Turkey suffer from problems related to over-irrigation: soil salinity, rising water tables, etc. Improving water conservation in Harran Plain can simultaneously release more water to downstream countries. 16.06.2011 Tekguc local incentives 4

5. Irrigation related problems will get worse if business as usual practices continues Predictions (e.g. Kurnaz, 2010, WB) for the effects of CC for the region agree that less winter rainfall, snow cover, etc. Increase in mean temperatures and variability All leading to water deficits for summer crops. Moreover, irrigation canals from Atatürk Dam are expanded toward East. 16.06.2011 Tekguc local incentives 5

6. Canals are laid out to bring water to Mardin Plain in the GAP region Water use projections for Mardin Plain are again very optimistic, Most likely farmers will plant water intensive crops for short-term gain (groundwater is already employed for corn production). So At the very least conserving water at the head of canal will release more water to farmers at the tail-end within GAP region. 16.06.2011 Tekguc local incentives 6

7. How to improve water conservation in irrigated areas? 1.Farmer Training (low hanging fruit): On the ground, hands-on farmer training: Expert opinion, Adaman & Özertan (2007). 2.Volumetric Water Pricing: currently area and crop based. Water price is practically very low (i.e. not discouraging wasteful habits). 3.Reforming WUAs: WUA boards are inept but they keep water fees low and independent of volume. 16.06.2011 Tekguc local incentives 7 Focus on item 3, since an effective WUA is also crucial for dissemination of new knowledge and can justify higher user fees.

8. Reforming WUAs WUAs are unable to ensure equitable distribution of water. They fall short of adequate maintenance and repair. Executive committee members and powerful farmers either evade fees or get significant reductions. WUAs are dominated by local elites; they do not perform the necessary maintenance; and they are not effective in disseminating valuable information on irrigation to their members (Kadirbeyoğlu and Özertan, 2010). 16.06.2011 Tekguc local incentives 8

9. Research Extension 1: How to refrom WUAs? Term Limits for board members. More vigilant audit by central authority to weed out corruption and ensure adequate maintenance. Create conditions to motivate ordinary members to seek board seats. Are WUAs too large for effective local control? Investigate the relationship btw land ownership and political power on WUA board. 16.06.2011 Tekguc local incentives 9

10. MULTIPLE DIMENSIONS OF WATER & POVERTY: WEILAI (EE, 2010) Research Extension 2: Calculating water & poverty 16.06.2011 Tekguc local incentives 10

11. DİKA Poverty Map Recently Regional Development Offices became operational in Turkey. Dicle Kalkınma Ajansı (DİKA) covering Mardin, Şırnak, Siirt Batman is preparing Poverty Map for the Region… Can it be possible to incorporate water related issues to poverty map? 16.06.2011 Tekguc local incentives 11

12. Measures that can be obtained from national records (regional variables) The above information can be obtained from regional state officials once the research area selected. 16.06.2011 12 Tekguc local incentives

13. Kadirbeyoğlu & Özertan (2011): Aydın & Urfa WUAs Measures that can be obtained from surveys (micro data) 16.06.2011 13 Tekguc local incentives

14. Parladır & Uçan (2010): Isparta WUAs Collect data on water and WUA effectiveness and performance 16.06.2011 14 Tekguc local incentives