• Rize
• 06 August 2026

As part of field studies in the Kireçhane Micro-Watershed, the DOKSAY Project’s implementation area, the physical and chemical properties of soils in tea gardens were assessed, providing important findings on soil health. The observations and analyses aim to inform both the planning of sustainable land management practices and the Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan being prepared for the Kireçhane Micro-Watershed.

Based on the pH range of 4.5–5.5 considered suitable for tea cultivation, field assessments found pH values as low as 3.0–3.5 in some tea gardens, indicating highly acidic soil conditions.

High soil acidity can affect the availability of plant nutrients, soil biological activity and long-term agricultural productivity. Regular soil health monitoring and the development of science-based land management practices are therefore important for sustainable tea production.

In this context, the DOKSAY Project aims to:
• Regularly monitor soil health;
• Develop sustainable land management practices that support long-term production efficiency; and
• Promote sustainable land use that supports the conservation of natural resources.

The data collected will be assessed with relevant public institutions, experts and local stakeholders and will inform the Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan for the Kireçhane Micro-Watershed. The findings will also contribute to planning measures to maintain soil health in tea cultivation, support sustainable productivity and develop production systems that are more resilient to climate change.