Ramsar Sites of Turkey - Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Wheat and cotton production in the site is gradually decreasing while corn, watermelon
and vegetables are replacing them. Still existing wheat lands are located, where the soil
is partly poor with no possibility <strong>of</strong> holding water, particularly in the areas on the way to
the winter shelters;; while cotton lands are located, where the salt level is high with
irrigation opportunities, particularly in the lower parts <strong>of</strong> Ceyhan River.
Greenhouse watermelon production has increased remarkably in the past years. Salt
meadows and marshes are drained and buried under 15-20-centimeter sand cover to
produce watermelon. Again in these areas, where light soils are widespread, peanut
farming has also increased recently. Vegetable production is done in the lands close to
the villages in very limited areas, while greenhouse zucchini and tomatoes production is
gradually increasing. Corn is usually in rotation with wheat and cropped as the second
harvest on the same lands.
livings by farming. Main agriculture productions are wheat, peanut, corn, cotton and
vegetable. 12.800 da <strong>of</strong> the agriculture lands are irrigated with waters provided with the
canals opened by the local people.
families (46%) make their livings by means <strong>of</strong> farming. Wheat, peanut, cotton, corn and
vegetable are the most produced crops. A total <strong>of</strong> 6.500 da (37.4) agriculture lands are
irrigated.
The agriculture effects on the conservation site are the transformation <strong>of</strong> the natural
lands into agriculture lands particularly those surrounding the private registered
agriculture lands and less affected by saltwater. The pesticide and chemical fertilizer
leftovers carried into the lagoons from the agriculture lands also effects the conservation
site. The highest amount <strong>of</strong> pesticides and chemical fertilizer use in <strong>Turkey</strong> is in Adana.
Livestock production
Livestock production has increased recently since the local people cannot obtain expected
amount <strong>of</strong> yield and income from agricultural activities. While cattle raising was more
common in the past, nowadays small ruminant raising is observed to extend.
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