Konya Boosts Support for Farmers with Expanded Agricultural Investments

Konya Metropolitan Municipality continues to expand its support for local farmers and producers across the city.

Uğur İbrahim Altay, President of the International Association of Agricultural Cities and Mayor of Konya Metropolitan Municipality, emphasized that Konya is a city shaped by its land and strengthened by hard work, adding that they work diligently to protect and support this effort.

Mayor Altay noted that, for the first time last year, they distributed certified red and green lentil seeds to diversify agricultural production, bring fallow land into cultivation, and increase farmers’ incomes. He added, “In 2025, we provided seed support totaling 247,360 kilograms to our producers, including Hungarian vetch, chickpeas, lentils, safflower, and saffron bulbs.”

Recalling that Konya is among the cities most affected by drought due to global climate change, Mayor Altay stated that they are continuing irrigation investments with great care and said:

“Within the scope of our 2025 investments, the historic Azak Fountain source in Hodoğlu Neighborhood of Cihanbeyli district was renovated as an animal drinking water facility, its capacity was increased, and it was made available for use by our farmers. In Çukurçimen and Kilistra neighborhoods of Meram district, agricultural irrigation facilities that had been operating as open canals were converted into closed-system irrigation facilities using 6.5 kilometers of piping. Our aim here was to ensure healthier irrigation and minimize water loss. In addition, a new irrigation area was opened in Kecimen Neighborhood of Taşkent district, and plans were finalized for the construction of a closed-system irrigation facility using a weir and 3.8 kilometers of piping, with the tender process completed. Furthermore, a pumped closed-system irrigation facility was completed in Harmanyazı Neighborhood of Ilgın district, contributing to agricultural activities in the region. Pipes were laid along a 16.5-kilometer line, and a 1,000-cubic-meter reservoir was prepared. As of now, we have completed 40 percent of the projects prepared for 2025, and we aim to complete the remaining portion in 2026. In 2025, the amount we spent on irrigation investments with KOP support reached 67 million lira.”