Brief History
 Tokat Soil and Water Resources Research Institute, was set up as TOPRAKSU Research Station in Tokat-Kazova in 1963. The name of the station was changed as Regional Topraksu Research Institute in 1971. After the re-organization made in 1985, the institute was renamed as Rural Services Tokat Research Institute. By abrogation the General Directorates of Rural Services, Institute tied to Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2005 and renamed as Tokat Soil and Water Resources Research Institute. The working area of the institute are in Tokat, Amasya, Sivas and Yozgat provinces. Land amount of the institute in Tokat-Kazova central is 74.1 ha, and 21.5 ha land in Sivas-Sarkisla Research Station.
Mission Statement
Meeting the basic human needs in the years ahead will require more sustainable product per unit area, conservation and rational use of natural resources, protection of the environment, improved management practices, cost-effective technologies, and favorable government policies and incentives for farmers to increase their productivity in "sustainability" manner.
The overall mission of the Institute is "To promote innovative agricultural development in the region through scientific research, knowledge creation and information exchange."
The word "promote" is used to indicate affirmative and pro-active action in the application and adoption of existing and new "knowledge" for agricultural development. Such development is realized through new and innovative ideas, processes, approaches and technologies. These technologies and knowledge arise from the information collected, generated and assessed through scientific research, adaptation of existing knowledge and communication amongst all actors in the agriculture sector.
While the agriculture sector is important, agricultural research and improved technologies and knowledge are seen to be the most critical catalytic agents in promoting agricultural development, broad-based economic growth and sustainable rural development, through empowering people.
Furthermore, the mission of the Institute is to provide a scientific focal point and required infrastructure that will assist to researchers, educators, extension workers, development planning officers, administrators, and desicion makers to develop practical and workable strategies for improving the sustainability of soil and water resources nationwide.
Research Topics
The Institute's researches places great importance in soil and water resources and sustainable resource management, and environmental protection, focusing upon four principal research areas :
 Catchment Management Researches
Researches is undertaken to develop biological and physical measures to combat soil erosion. Studies are undertaken to investigate soil moisture conservation and the relationship between rainfall, runoff and sedimentation at the catchment scale. This work involves the use of soil loss estimation models, erosion mapping and measurement and Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
 Soil Management Researches
Researches is undertaken to protect and improve the sustainable fertility of agricultural soils. To do this, the effects of macro- and micro-nutrients on agricultural production are determined. Further research identifies the causes of soil pollution and considers the possibilities of using solid waste in agriculture.
 Water Management Researches
Researches is undertaken to improve the yield and quality of irrigated crops through the design of efficient management systems for irrigation and drainage. Measures are developed to increase irrigation efficiency, considering the possibilities of using wastewater in agriculture and of reducing waterlogging and salinity risks in irrigated areas by taking proper precautions. Land reclamation techniques are also developed.
 Investment Management Researches
Researches is undertaken to define the benefits of agricultural investment projects, and to conduct economical analyses of land consolidation and research investments, and of input optimisation for agricultural investments. Socio-economic problems affecting agricultural development are determined through the development of financial models for rural communities.
Objectives
The principle objectives of the Institute are to:
1. Manage and conserve the nation's soil and water resources for sustainable agriculture.
2. Integrate scientific knowledge and agricultural production into systems which optimize resource management and facilitate the transfer of the technology to users.
Research objectives
· Maintain, conserve and utilise the diversity of natural resources for agricultural development,
· Generate, adapt and promote the use of appropriate and improved agricultural technologies for soil and water resources,
· Update and maintain a regional inventory on soil & water resources and recommend appropriate uses and management of these resources,
· Provide essential technical and analytical services for development of the agriculture sector,
· Draw attention to constraints to the sustainable development, contribute to the development of human resources by training and developing scientific and technical capacity, to develop science, knowledge and technology-based agriculture in the region,
· Generate data and information which enhance policy makers' understanding of the decision making patterns of farmers and thereby permit formulation of appropriate agricultural policies,
· Build up the capacity for farming systems research as a research approach,
. Maintain and increase productivity and quality in crop production, and introduce improved varieties of crops which address the production problems of farmers.
Training Objectives
· Provide training activities for regional participants such as young farmers, farmer association members, extension officers, and graduate and post-graduate students,
· Contribute to national & international cooperation and understanding through professional activities and technical exchanges,
· Promote excellence, foster high standard and orient the educational programme towards future needs and opportunites,
· Provide opportunities for resource management research, continuing education, and development of human resources in new and cutting edge technology areas, especially through national and international collaboration.
Extension objectives
· Provide agricultural information services, extension service support and other technical assistance to the agriculture sector on soil and water resources,
· Generate information and innovative extension models, dovetail them to developmental models, and disseminate them through governmental bodies, universities and ministry extension systems in region,
· Promote client oriented on-farm research and technology assessment, refinement and transfer through participatory approaches,
· Foster development communication research and linkages with rural development programmes and strengthen micro-planning through inter departmental and participatory approaches.
|
|
Co-operation and joint project opportunuties
The Institute has special expertise in multi-culture agriculture and highly qualified and experienced scientists in the disciplines of catchment management, agronomy, water management, soil science, fertilization, agricultural economics, and rural sociology. Specific areas of emphasis include:
. Catchment Management
. Soil Conservation
· Drought Resistant Pasture Plants
· Soil Fertility and Organic Matter
· Deficit Irrigation
· Efficient Use of Water
. Drip Irrigation and Fertigation
. Sustainable Agriculture
· Rural Environment and Pollution Studies
. Economic and Financial Evaluation
. Rural Development Projects
· Socio-Economic Studies in Rural Society
. Agricultural Machinery Management
In addition to provide a focus for collaborations in land and water research in Turkey, we establish national/international meetings, short course, and study tours with co-operation of International Agrohydrology Research and Training Center at Menemen near Izmir. The mission of the Centre is to raise levels of sustainable performance in land and water management and so meet client, national and international goals.
 The Institute has well equipped laboratory for agronomy, plant protection and soil science, with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and the required sophisticated laboratory equipment.
Significant Achievements
The findings of the research activities of the Institute are disseminated in printed form to the farming community through an agricultural extension service, as well as being published in national journals. Other research results are fed into the project planning process.
· Development of productive intercropping and crop rotational systems for the maintenance of long term soil fertility.
· Irrigation programme for main plains in the region
· Production inputs and costs (update every year) of the main crops for the regional provinces.
· Development and update of main climatological data for Tokat province.
Collaboration
The Institute has strong research ties with other national organisations including: the State Planning Organisation (DPT), the Turkish Scientific Board (TUBİTAK), the National Atomic Agency (TAEK), the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ), the Agricultural Faculties, the Ministry of Agriculture and the GAP Regional Administration Office. This takes the form of joint projects, shared committees and laboratory analysis and consultancy.
We work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture Provincal Directorates, universities, regional farmer associations and the related private sector companies in the region and countrywide. This is a valuable resource base for developing new programs for the region and also for sharing information with related agencies.
The Institute's research program comprise a range of multidisciplinary agricultural activities and services aimed at achieving a specific set of goals. We interfaces with national, provincial and local government as well as various universities, technicians, agricultural unions and farmers' associations in Turkey to achieve its goals. Apart from research collaboration with these stakeholders, the Institute also partners with other science councils.
Contact
| Address : |
Toprak ve Su Kaynaklari
Arastirma Enstitusu
PK: 46
Turhal Yolu 10. km
60250 / TOKAT |
| Tel : |
+90 356 2521250
+90 356 2521251 |
| Fax : |
+90 356 2521253 |
| e-mail : |
info@tokattopraksu.gov.tr |
|
