Water Conservation Drive in Thrace Moves to Tekirdağ
· Tarım Pusulası
PepsiCo Turkey expands its water conservation project to the Meriç-Ergene Basin in collaboration with Önder Farmer Cooperative, initiating direct seeding in Tekirdağ.
Water Conservation Drive in Thrace
PepsiCo Turkey is moving its "A Drop, A World" project, aimed at protecting water resources, to Tekirdağ starting in 2026. The initiative, to be carried out in cooperation with Önder Farmer Production and Marketing Cooperative, aims to protect underground and surface water potential in the Meriç-Ergene Basin. The project, first launched in the Tarsus Berdan Basin in 2023, was implemented in Manisa and İzmir in 2024, and in Adana in 2025. Technical and operational support will be provided to producers in the region through the cooperative, which plays a critical role in evaluating alternative products within the contract farming model.
2025 Success in Water Recovery
According to data shared by PepsiCo Turkey General Manager Ergün Günay, approximately 1.14 million cubic meters of water were returned to nature in the basins where operations were conducted in 2025. According to the company's statement, 100% of operational water usage in Tarsus and İzmir, 98% in Manisa, and 52% in Adana were returned to local basins. Similar high efficiency is targeted in the Tekirdağ leg of the project, which has been expanded in line with the principles of reduced water consumption, water recovery, and access to clean water.
Protective Farming Practices Begin
Protective farming methods will be included in the project, which has so far established modern drip irrigation infrastructure on approximately 3,000 decares of land, starting with the 2026 season. Within the scope of the plans, producers are aimed to minimize soil tillage and perform direct seeding on stubble. By improving soil health and organic structure, the water-holding capacity of fields will be increased; thus, the amount of water consumed in irrigated agriculture will be significantly reduced.
Savings Through Direct Seeding
Direct seeding system is among the most critical methods to be implemented in the Meriç-Ergene Basin. The technique, which enables seeding on stubble with special seed drills after harvest without soil tillage, increases the resilience of agricultural production against drought by preserving the existing moisture in the soil. The elimination of soil tillage steps provides tangible savings in fuel and labor expenses, which are among the biggest input costs for farmers, directly contributing to producer incomes.