Konya Plain Project: A Vision for Sustainable Growth in Turkey

The Konya Plain Project (KOP), a key regional development initiative in Turkey, is steadily reshaping the socio-economic fabric of central Anatolia. During the recent KOP Action Plan Information and Consultation Meeting held at the Selcuklu Congress Center, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz discussed the project's broad objectives and emphasized the notable advancements achieved since its launch.

The project seeks to enhance agricultural productivity, improve water resource management, and promote the synergy between agriculture and industry. Vice President Yılmaz stressed that the project's goals go beyond economic growth.

"Regional participation is not just an economic aim for us, but a social one as well," Yılmaz stated. "Ensuring justice and extending social reforms to all segments of society are just as crucial. Investments in the KOP Region have greatly accelerated both its economic and social progress."

Emphasizing the project's achievements in water management, Industry and Technology Minister Fatih Kacır highlighted the replacement of outdated canals with modern irrigation systems, which now save 264 million tons of water each year. This year, an additional 7,450 acres of land will shift to closed irrigation systems.

Kacır also discussed the region's industrial and agricultural progress. Over the past two decades, exports from the region have skyrocketed from $225 million to $5 billion. A new organized industrial zone has created more than 104,000 jobs, while early investments totaling TL 893 billion have led to the creation of 192,000 jobs for local residents.

KOP Regional Development Administration Chair Murat Karakoyunlu presented the 2024-2028 vision as a roadmap for achieving balanced and sustainable growth. "Our goal is to optimize water usage, boost agricultural productivity, and reinforce the connection between agriculture and industry," Karakoyunlu stated.

He underscored that reversing groundwater depletion, expanding irrigated areas, and improving land consolidation are critical steps toward realizing these objectives. Karakoyunlu also highlighted the significance of supporting projects that enhance the value of agricultural products and machinery exports.

“Our KOP Action Plan will impact nearly every aspect of life in our region,” Minister Kacır concluded. “It is a strategic vision that will not only shape the future but also become deeply embedded in the daily lives of our citizens.”