Regions

Balıkesir Province; İvrindi District; Çatalan and Pelitören

Partner Organizations

Agrokur Organik Tıbbi ve Aromatik Bitkiler Üretim A.Ş.
International Agricultural Research and Training Centre (UTAEM)

Regenerative practices in scope

Agroforestry; biodiversity-enhancing practices; cover crops; hedgerows; improved water management; intercropping; nutrient management optimization; reduced/no tillage; soil cover management

Risks associated with the Landscape

Low soil organic matter and nutrient status; limited infiltration, runoff and erosion during intense rainfall; drought, water scarcity, extreme weather events and climate variability; shallow soils limiting tree and shrub establishment; pressure on soil and above-ground biodiversity; availability of certified organic compost and cover-crop seed during progressive scale-up; risk of over-interpreting one-year soil trends.

Monitored or published results/outcomes

During the first full monitoring cycle (June 2024–June 2025), soil organic carbon increased from 1.13% to 1.53% (+35.4%), while soil CO₂ flux decreased from 3.97 to 2.70 g CO₂ m⁻² h⁻¹ (-31.99%), indicating lower soil carbon losses. Bulk density decreased from 1.50 to 1.43 g cm⁻³ (-4.7%), a positive direction for soil structure, and total nitrogen increased from 0.08% to 0.11% (+37.5%). The nitrogen improvement reflects the cumulative effects of certified organic compost, reduced tillage, cover cropping and mulching. Approximately 200 trees and shrubs were established; in-field survival was limited in shallow soils. These are early project-level indicators, not annual sequestration rates or corporate GHG inventory results. Scientific dissemination through technical reports, conference presentations and publications is planned to strengthen transparent, evidence-based communication.

Number of farmers engaged

Number of farms engaged

Number of hectares under management

Additional information:

Implementation began in 2024 with 0.5 ha of İzmir oregano and 0.5 ha of sage (1 ha total) and expanded in 2025 to 3 ha of İzmir oregano and 4 ha of sage (7 ha current total). The 7 ha is the current implementation area, not a planned expansion. Agrokur intends a progressive, evidence-based scale-up across technically suitable parts of its wider 400 ha certified organic production area, adapting practices to monitoring results, crop needs, soil, slope, drainage, erosion risk and operational suitability. Natural habitats will be retained.

Information about monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) approach:

UTAEM conducts monthly in-situ soil CO₂ flux, soil temperature and moisture measurements at three replicated locations using a LI-COR LI-8100A system, alongside infiltration monitoring, annual composite soil sampling and undisturbed cores for bulk density. The project also includes comprehensive soil physical and chemical analyses covering macro- and micronutrients, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, soil organic matter and other soil health parameters within an accredited laboratory system. Soil organic carbon and total nitrogen are determined by Dumas dry combustion; soil organic matter by modified Walkley–Black (ISO 14235:1998). The five reported KPIs are the indicators showing the most pronounced changes, while the monitoring programme covers a broader soil-analysis package. Results are project-level evidence and are not presented as Agrokur's corporate Scope 1 inventory.

Incentives and value creation model:

ecosystem services; technical assistance