18 Women Establish Blueberry Cooperative in Rural Turkey, Boosting Exports and Community Return

Eighteen women have returned to their village in Candarlı, Turkey, to cultivate blueberries, establishing the Candarlı Women's Blueberry Agricultural Development Cooperative in 2022. This initiative was born out of their shared struggle to market their produce effectively.

By forming the cooperative, these women gained access to broader markets, allowing them to export their blueberries not only domestically but also to the United Kingdom and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The women are actively involved in every aspect of blueberry production, from planting and fertilizing to pruning, harvesting, packaging, and shipping, all on their farms situated at an altitude of 850 meters.

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Blueberry production has encouraged many families to return to Candarlı.

Collectively, they produce between 30 to 40 tons of blueberries annually. The cooperative's president, Hülya Can, noted that blueberry cultivation has encouraged many families to return to Candarlı. She also highlighted that the region's soil and climate are highly suitable for blueberry production, which now spans approximately 1,000 decares, including surrounding villages.

Furthermore, the women have received training in organic production methods through initiatives by the Bursa Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry. They prepare their own natural fertilizers and plant protection products, enhancing the sustainability of their farming practices and increasing the visibility of women's contributions to the agricultural sector.

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We received training in organic production. We prepare the fertilizers and plant protection products we use with natural methods ourselves.