Evaluation of idle lands resulting from pumice stone extraction in uchisar district, Nevşehir province

Agricultural production is an indispensable resource for human life, and agricultural land, which is its main input, has always been of great importance. Despite Turkey's advantageous geographical location and land structure, which offer potential for product diversity and production, many agricultural lands remain idle due to factors such as fragmentation through inheritance and insufficient income generation. In the case of Nevşehir Province, the extraction of pumice stone has led to the degradation of agricultural lands, resulting in large-scale idle agricultural lands. This situation threatens the rural economy and agricultural sustainability in the region. This study aims to examine the potential for reintegrating idle agricultural lands resulting from pumice extraction in the Uçhisar district of Nevşehir Province back into agricultural production and to propose a hybrid approach that integrates mining and agricultural activities. The research was conducted in the Uçhisar district of Nevşehir province, and a face-to-face survey was administered to 50 landowners. Since there is no clear method in the literature for valuing idle agricultural lands, the study used the gross rent multiplier method, considering the market value method, income method, and cost method. In determining land value, a multiplier coefficient was calculated based on the rent and Gross Production Value (GPV) applicable to the region, enabling a comprehensive assessment of the economic potential of the lands. The research findings show that pumice extraction has significant negative effects on agricultural productivity; 88% of landowners stated that extraction leads to a loss of productivity, with productivity decline rates ranging from 25% to 75%. Soil rehabilitation takes an average of 3 years, with an estimated repair cost of approximately 4,845 TL/year per decare. While the average income from pumice stone extraction is 163,219 TL per decare, the three-year restoration process following extraction incurs a total restoration cost of 43,605 TL/da and an agricultural income loss of 77,279.61 TL/da, resulting in a net profit of 119,614 TL/da. The shift toward non-agricultural sectors in land use and the high rate of idle land pose risks to sustainability. In conclusion, while pumice extraction has short-term economic appeal, it has been demonstrated that land rehabilitation is essential for the long-term sustainability of agricultural production. In this context, it is recommended that pumice extraction and agricultural production be integrated and evaluated within a hybrid model framework. Thus, both the economic revenues from mining will be preserved and rural development and environmental sustainability will be supported by reclaiming the land for agriculture. This study emphasizes the importance of a multidimensional assessment of idle agricultural land in the region and provides guiding contributions for local economy and agricultural policies.