Summary
Since the area is situated in the mountainous northern part of the Eskisehir study site where slope gradients and precipitation are relatively high compared to elsewhere, our basic goal here will be decreasing water erosion. Due to the long-lasting nature of this problem together with non-existence of any previous prevention initiative, soil profiles are thin, stoniness is high and organic matter content is low. Dry-farming fields are in vicinity are exhibiting severe rill erosion which has been facilitated by further wrong practices such as slope parallel and abnormally deep ploughing.
Based on the WB3 workshops the technology "Fanya juu" terraces were considered the best option by certain stakeholder groups from the ecological point of view. These are sloping terraces which end in earthen walls planted with dense vegetation. After several years these terraces will become more level because of soil movement on each terrace step. This plan was adapted to become more feasible by introducing fences with woven branches that will capture the sediment.
A second measure is tillage perpendicular to the slope, which will also be included in the conservation package since most farmers apply the adverse parallel to slope tillage technology. Monitoring will be realized under the headings of rill formation and characterization, soil properties (periodic moisture and structure determination) and crop health and yield observations. The only meteorological observation is available 20 km to the SW of the SIP area in the lower Eskişehir Plain. It is not sure if the data from this meteo station directly represents the SIP field.
