A new irrigation canal, named ‘Mardin-Ceylanpınar, runs from the Atatürk Dam in Şanlıurfa to Mardin in southeast Turkey. It is providing water to an area of agricultural land the size of 70,000 football fields. Within the scope of the Southeastern Anatolian Project (GAP), a multi-sector integrated regional development project, the canal was completed and put into service. With its 221-kilometer length, the canal will allow the region to harvest crops three times a year and boost farmers' income.
A spokesperson from the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry said: "The Mardin-Ceylanpınar Main Canal is the longest artificial river in Turkey. At 221 kilometers long, it is longer than the Suez Canal and three times the size of the Panama Canal. When all sections are completed, 349,000 football fields of agricultural land will be irrigated,.
The project will double agricultural yields, expanding the range of products beyond grains to include citrus fruits and greenhouse farming.
Source: dailysabah.com