Türkiye to Invest $9.8bn in Konya Plain Project to Boost Central Anatolia

The Turkish government has unveiled a substantial investment of TL 350.7 billion ($9.83 billion) over the next five years to drive development in central Anatolia through the Konya Plain Project (KOP). The project is aimed at enhancing infrastructure and boosting key sectors, including agriculture, irrigation, animal husbandry, and manufacturing.

The KOP covers eight provinces: Konya, Aksaray, Karaman, Niğde, Kırıkkale, Yozgat, Nevşehir, and Kırşehir. The region accounts for 21.5% of Türkiye’s arable agricultural land but only 7.7% of the country’s usable water resources. The investment aims to address this imbalance by improving irrigation infrastructure and enabling more efficient use of water for agriculture.

Speaking at the KOP Action Plan meeting in Konya, Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır outlined the government’s ambition:
"In line with the KOP Action Plan, we aim to channel TL 350 billion into 166 projects over a five-year period."

Key Objectives of the KOP Action Plan

The plan encompasses a wide range of initiatives to stimulate economic growth in central Anatolia, including:

• Irrigation Infrastructure: Expanding and modernizing irrigation systems to maximize agricultural output.
• Agriculture and Livestock Development: Introducing advanced techniques to improve productivity in farming and animal husbandry.
• Manufacturing and Technology: Supporting sectors such as agricultural machinery, defense industries, and automotive manufacturing to create jobs and stimulate industrial growth.

The announcement follows the Turkish government’s recent $14 billion regional development initiative, aimed at reducing economic disparities between southeastern Türkiye and other regions. Speaking at the event, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz emphasized the importance of equitable development across provinces:
"We are committed to implementing similar development programs for other provinces, starting with Giresun and Erzurum."

The KOP is expected to transform central Anatolia into an economic hub by unlocking the potential of its vast arable lands and supporting industries. With increased irrigation capacity and technological advancements, the region is set to become a key driver of Türkiye’s agricultural and industrial sectors.

Vice President Yılmaz underscored the significance of the KOP as part of Türkiye’s national development strategy:
"This initiative not only supports regional development but also aligns with our vision to make Türkiye a leader in agriculture, technology, and sustainable development."