Agricultural Potential of Steep Rocky Areas on the Eastern Mediterranean Shoreline

Authors: HASAN ÖZCAN, MAHMUT ÇETİN

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the agricultural potential of an area limited by such factors as rockiness, shallow soil profile and steep slope on the eastern Mediterranean shoreline. The soils of the study area were classified according to land use capability and suitability for irrigated agriculture in view of soil survey and laboratory results. After interpretation of the classification results, it was concluded that some physical land improvement measures should be implemented in about 50% of the study area in preparation for intensive farming. Land utilization types (LUT) were determined according to the land characteristics and questionnaire results. In addition to the known soil-and stone-stepped terrace systems, the pit system and soil-filled stone-stepped system were developed considering LUT and land characteristics. Economic analysis of the proposed physical land improvement systems together with irrigation development was carried out and the project feasibility was calculated at 3.60.

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