Communiqué on Supporting Investments in Water-Efficient Agricultural Irrigation Systems within the Rural Development Investment Program (No: 2026/10)
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Published on April 3, 2026 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, this communiqué establishes the rules and procedures for grant-based support of water-efficient agricultural irrigation systems under Turkey's Rural Development Investment Program. It covers all 81 provinces and is applicable throughout 2026. The legal basis is the Agricultural Law No. 5488 (Article 19) and the Presidential Decree No. 10802 dated December 31, 2025. Eligible investment types include drip irrigation, sprinkler systems, micro-sprinklers, subsurface drip irrigation, center pivot/linear systems, drum-reel systems, solar-powered irrigation, and smart/automated irrigation systems. Grant rates range from 50% to 70% of eligible project costs (inclusive of VAT), depending on the irrigation type — with subsurface drip and smart automation systems qualifying for the highest 70% rate. Projects located in basins with declared water scarcity also qualify for the 70% rate regardless of irrigation type. The maximum eligible project cost is TRY 10,000,000. At least 20% of the total program budget must be allocated to women and young entrepreneurs (ages 18–40). First-degree agricultural cooperatives and unions, women, and youth receive application priority. Applications are evaluated at the provincial level, and funding is allocated based on available budget per province. Beneficiaries must complete installation within 75 days of signing the grant agreement and are prohibited from transferring ownership, changing location, or altering the purpose of the subsidized equipment for 5 years from the payment date. This communiqué replaces the previous Communiqué No. 2021/7 dated February 25, 2021.
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Key Changes
- Replaces Communiqué No. 2021/7 (dated Feb 25, 2021) with updated grant rules for 2026 covering 8 irrigation investment types across all 81 provinces
- Grant rates set at 50–70% of eligible project costs (VAT included): drip/sprinkler 50%, micro-sprinkler/center pivot/solar 60%, subsurface drip/smart automation 70%; water-scarce basins qualify for 70% across all types
- Maximum eligible project cost capped at TRY 10,000,000; amounts exceeding this cap must be covered by the beneficiary as in-kind contribution
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Obligations
What this law requires
Beneficiaries must complete installation of water-efficient irrigation systems within 75 days of signing the grant agreement
Beneficiaries are prohibited from transferring ownership, changing location, or altering the purpose of subsidized equipment for 5 years from the payment date
At least 20% of the total program budget must be allocated to women and young entrepreneurs (ages 18-40)
Provincial directors (il müdürlüğü) must ensure applications are evaluated at the provincial level and funding is allocated based on available budget per province
Provincial directors must enter all required information into the data entry system (www.tarimorman.gov.tr) promptly and timely and are responsible for all information entered