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🇹🇷 Turkey /Economy & Trade

Harvest Begins at the Foot of Mount Erciyes, With Picking to Continue for 45 Days

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Farmers have begun harvesting snack sunflower seeds in Yeşilhisar, near Mount Erciyes, where the harvest is expected to last until Oct. 15.
  • Output fell 25% last year because of frost, drought and fungal disease, but farmers expect a 20% to 25% increase this year after stronger rainfall.
  • The district has 28,000 decares planted with sunflowers, and farmers expect production of about 9,000 tons.

Harvesting has begun in Yeşilhisar, one of Turkey’s main centers for snack sunflower seeds, on the slopes of Mount Erciyes. The seeds are being spread across open areas to dry in the sun, while farmers expect a much better season than last year.

We started sunflower harvesting as of Sept. 1. We have 28,000 decares of sunflowers planted in Yeşilhisar center and its villages. Official figures show an average yield of 350 kilograms per decare. That would amount to about 9,000 tons, God willing. We expect it to be a fruitful season.

· Mustafa ÇiftçioğluThe farmer described the planted area and expected production at the start of the harvest.

The district suffered a 25% drop in sunflower output last year as frost, drought and fungal disease affected crops. This year, increased rainfall across Turkey has raised expectations for a 25% increase in production. Farmer and seed-sorting producer Mustafa Çiftçioğlu, 52, said weather conditions had improved yields.

“We started sunflower harvesting as of Sept. 1,” Çiftçioğlu said. “We have 28,000 decares of sunflowers planted in Yeşilhisar center and its villages. Official figures show an average yield of 350 kilograms per decare. That would amount to about 9,000 tons, God willing. We expect it to be a fruitful season.”

This year, yields will increase by around 20% to 25%. Last year, yields were low because of insufficient rainfall. This year, there will be quality as well, God willing.

· Mustafa ÇiftçioğluÇiftçioğlu explained why he expects better output and quality this season.

Çiftçioğlu said yields could rise by 20% to 25% and quality should also improve. He attributed the seeds’ quality and distinctive flavor to Yeşilhisar’s location at the foot of Erciyes and said the weather had suited sunflowers.

Yeşilhisar is at the foot of Erciyes, so our seeds are high quality. Their aroma and flavor are much better than other seeds.

· Mustafa ÇiftçioğluHe highlighted the local product’s distinctive quality.

The price is expected to become clear the following week, although no market had yet been established. The crop is sent to Turkey’s domestic market and exported, mainly to Syria. The harvest will last 45 days, ending around Oct. 15. Çiftçioğlu also stressed the need to maintain domestic production, warning that farmers must continue planting or sunflower seeds could become as difficult to find as onions.

We have to produce in Turkey. Otherwise, if this farmer does not plant, next year we may not find seeds, just as we cannot find onions.

· Mustafa ÇiftçioğluHis appeal for continued domestic production.
About this summary

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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