Groundwater, a critical resource for agriculture, faces severe overexploitation globally, resulting in sustainability challenges and ecological consequences. This study examines the groundwater governance dynamics in the Konya Closed Basin (KCB), T & uuml;rkiye's agricultural hub often referred to as the country's "granary." Overexploitation in the region has led to a rapid decline in groundwater levels, nearly 30 m since the 1980s, exacerbating water scarcity, land subsidence, and environmental degradation. Combining fieldwork, stakeholder interviews, secondary data analysis, and an examination of crop pattern changes, we investigate the interplay between climate change, shifting agricultural practices, and inadequate governance structures. Our findings highlight significant shortcomings in the current governance framework, including weak enforcement, fragmented coordination, inadequate monitoring, and eroding roles of cooperatives and unions. The study underscores the urgent need for integrated governance frameworks that enhance stakeholder collaboration, prioritize demand management, and promote adaptive policies. Insights from the KCB are broadly applicable to other arid regions heavily reliant on agriculture and groundwater, providing critical lessons for mitigating overexploitation and promoting long-term sustainability.