Güzelyurt Begins Using Water from Turkey

Water from the Geçitköy Dam has begun flowing into agricultural areas in the Güzelyurt region, as part of the TRNC’s water supply project. The goal is to irrigate approximately 98,000 hectares of farmland.

This water is transported to the TRNC through a groundbreaking undersea pipeline system from Turkey — the first of its kind in the world — and is stored in the Geçitköy Dam, located near Kyrenia.

Since 2015, a total of 236.5 million cubic meters of water has been delivered from the Alaköprü Dam in Mersin. Most of it has been used to meet drinking water needs.

Now, the agricultural irrigation phase of the project is officially underway. With water now reaching Güzelyurt, irrigation has started across farmlands in the region — especially citrus groves. Authorities have described the project as a “lifeline for TRNC agriculture,” anticipating a major boost in the farming sector, particularly in citrus production.

Currently, about 26,000 hectares of the Güzelyurt Plain — nearly 75% of the area designated for irrigation — are being watered. Next, irrigation will expand to the Mesaoria Plain, known as the grain belt of Northern Cyprus.

According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ercan Akerzurumlu, the total length of the pipeline is approximately 45 kilometers, with around 15 kilometers already laid toward Serhatköy.