Scorching harvest begins in Muş Plain; pepper's secret lies in its climate

Agricultural workers in Turkey's Muş Plain are enduring scorching temperatures, with thermometers approaching 40 degrees Celsius, as they commence the demanding harvest of peppers. The region, recognized as the third-largest arable plain in Turkey, sees producers and laborers heading to the fields at the crack of dawn to gather the peppers planted in the spring.

The harvest operations continue throughout the day under the intense heat. Peppers are meticulously collected, sorted by size, and packed into crates. These peppers, cultivated with significant effort, are then transported by trucks and lorries to various destinations, including cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Bursa, as well as other parts of Eastern Anatolia. The fertile lands of the Muş Plain, combined with the area's specific climate characteristics, imbue the Muş pepper with a distinctive flavor that garners significant attention in markets.

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We are harvesting peppers today after about two months of cultivation. We are sending the peppers we harvest to many provinces, especially Erzurum, Van, Batman, Bingöl and Siirt. Working under the sun is truly very difficult. We start our work at 06:00 in the morning and continue until the evening. However, thanks to the temperature difference between night and day, the taste and aroma of our peppers are different. This makes our products higher quality and larger.

Producer Muhammed Çetin, who has been in the agricultural sector with his father for about 15 years, expressed satisfaction with this year's yield. "We are harvesting peppers today after about two months of cultivation," Çetin said, noting that the harvest will continue uninterrupted in the coming weeks. He highlighted the critical role of the temperature difference between night and day in developing the pepper's unique taste and aroma, resulting in a higher quality and larger product. "Working under the sun is truly very difficult," he added.

Agricultural worker Samet Tuncer echoed the sentiment, describing the arduous work that begins at 6 a.m. and extends until 6 p.m. "We try to protect ourselves with hats, but we still can't work comfortably under the sun," Tuncer stated, emphasizing the necessity of their labor for their future and livelihood. Despite the hardships, the workers contribute significantly to both production and the regional economy.

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We come to the field at 06:00 in the morning, we work under the sun until 18:00 in the evening. Since the weather is very hot, we try to protect ourselves with hats, but we still can't work comfortably under the sun. Today we are harvesting peppers. In addition to this, we are also picking eggplants and cucumbers. Our job is really very difficult, but we have to work. We are working for our future and to earn our living.