Transforming High Altitude Barren Lands into Climate Resilient Assets
Ayse Umay Bahcivan
31/08/2026
The rapid growth of the global population, the progressive depletion of water resources, and the loss of arable land pose critical risks to food security, necessitating the creation of new production areas and efficient resource management. Mountainous terrain at altitudes of 1750-2000 meters, traditionally classified as unsuitable for agriculture due to rocky soil, high lime content, and harsh climate conditions, offers a strategic advantage; the long winter delays vegetation development, thereby mitigating the risk of spring frost, a phenomenon increasingly observed in low plains, while perfectly meeting the specific chilling requirements of the Malatya apricot. The soil was improved through the addition of sulfur and leonardite; in the absence of natural water sources, the orchard survived without external irrigation, relying on rainfall and passive atmospheric moisture, avoiding the need to pump 35 million liters of water seasonally. The methods achieved a 95% sapling survival rate. The project's success was validated by the first symbolic harvest in 2024; more importantly, following the 2023 earthquake, this micro scale trial expanded to a 10,000 tree projected biological carbon uptake of approximately 226 tons of CO2 annually at full maturity. The results show that previously idle land can become a productive agricultural asset under these conditions.