Manegement of protected environment areas in Turkey and sustainability of agriculture on these areas: The case of Göksu delta

Management of protected environment areas has been examined in general and the sustainability agriculture on these areas has been evaluated within the framework of the given example (Göksu Delta) in this research. 9 villages, which are found in Göksu Delta and dependant on Silifke District, have been chosen for the research area. 57 households, committees of chief of villages and the other stakeholders have been taken a poll by sampling method. Physical input usage, costs and incomes in the crop farming mass production activities are analyzed, primary indications and individual producer and protected areas of other stakeholders and the approaches about their management are examined. It is not possible for the people, who live in the protected environment area and in the surrounding settlements, to participate to the management of the areas. In accordance with the goals of the Specially Protected Environmental directorate, the restrictions towards the agriculture, tourism and other activities causes income and welfare losses, however, these cannot be compensated within the framework of legal and institutional arrangements. The average size of farms is 3.68 hectare and 96.03 % of this land is irrigated land. The land is generally over-cultivated in the agriculture and 2 or 3 crops can be produced annually. Besides the multiple crop growth, some of the areas have been separated for the same product (strawberry) and monoculture farming has been becoming more evident. The crop and animal husbandry production activities in the enterprises have not been integrated each other, stubble burning has been applying and pesticides usage and over-irrigation have been commonly preferred. In order to perform the agricultural sustainability, readjustment of the support policies, reduction of input subventions that may cause environment pollution, encouragement of organic and low input agriculture and making the producers awareness about this case is considered to be necessary. Science Code : 903.2.021