TransforMed - Facing soil erosion in Turkyie - Meeting with local partners and visit to the lighthouse

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FiBL Germany and local partners visited Türkiye’s TIGEM farm to explore challenges in implementing agroforestry systems on governmental lands and within local communities.

Source: H. Cicek & M. Schoeber, FiBl Germany. Project partners and turkish stakeholders involved in TransforMed project.

Source: H. Cicek, FiBl Germany. Drylands of TIGEM's governmental farm in Konya province. In the back there are plantations of Almonds and Acacias.

Source: H. Cicek, FiBl Germany. Windbreaks along agricultural fields, planted by local communities outside TIGEM governmental farm.

In October 2024, Turkish partners BDIARI and DKM convened with FiBL Germany in Konya, Turkey, to discuss the initial steps of the TransforMed project. The meeting included visits to potential project sites, including the TIGEM facility, which serves as one of the project's designated lighthouses.

TIGEM is a large government-run seed production farm located in an area severely impacted by soil erosion. In 1984, various tree species such as almond, acacia, and Russian olive were planted across parts of the farm to combat wind erosion and regenerate soils. These efforts have been successful, prompting the farm to expand its reforestation initiatives. Through the TransforMed project, thousands of seeds from Acacia, Almond, Cedar, and Maple trees will be planted and distributed for planting at the lighthouse and other restoration sites.

Despite improvements in soil health due to these initiatives, the broader region continues to face significant challenges from wind exposure that exacerbates soil erosion. To tackle this issue, the team explored additional potential sites for agroforestry restoration. While some innovative farmers have begun implementing windbreak systems by establishing tree belts to shield crops from harsh weather conditions, these practices are currently adopted on less than 5% of farms. A critical challenge remains the perceived trade-off between land allocated for trees versus crops and the necessity of protecting trees from livestock. Overcoming these obstacles requires effective communication and collaboration among local stakeholders. For vulnerable and saline areas, artiplex presents a promising alternative as it demands less protection and demonstrates greater resilience against harsh conditions.

The visit to TIGEM provided valuable insights into the region's challenges and opportunities for agroforestry adoption. These insights will inform strategies to enhance agroforestry systems in the area. Furthermore, the meeting strengthened connections with stakeholders and contributed to developing tailored agroforestry solutions that have the potential to transform the agricultural landscape of the region.