HAKKARİ (AA) - SAYİM HARMANCI/SİRAÇ KARADENİZ - Hakkari's Derecik district on the Iraqi border is on its way to becoming the region's vegetable and fruit production base thanks to the greenhouses recently constructed with the support of the state.

Derecik, which was at the center of the terrorist organization PKK's attacks for years, started to open up to the international arena by developing economically with the peaceful environment established.

In the district, where many products can be grown with its microclimate feature, 43 greenhouses of different sizes were established within the scope of the "Greenhouse and Covered Cultivation Project" initiated to utilize the production potential and create new job opportunities for citizens.

Local residents who grew cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, watermelon and melon contributed to the economy. It is aimed to increase the production capacity of the district with the completion of 60 greenhouses under construction with the support of the Eastern Anatolia Project Regional Development Administration (DAP) and the Eastern Anatolia Development Agency (DAKA).

- "Derecik is the center of attention in greenhouse cultivation"

Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Cemal Özkan told AA correspondent that Hakkari is a city of agriculture and animal husbandry, with pastures making up the majority of the land.

Stating that there are approximately 750 thousand ovine and 37 thousand bovine animals in the city, Özkan said "We need to utilize the potential of our province. We have an incredible flora. Beekeeping is widely practiced here. This provides a serious income to our farmers. Our governorship distributes small cattle from time to time with the resources of the Provincial Special Administration. This year, we will distribute one thousand sheep, one thousand goats and one thousand and five hundred beehives. We distributed seeds with a 75 percent grant to increase the cultivable areas."

Stating that greenhouse farming has become widespread in Derecik with the support provided and that they have built 43 greenhouses and delivered them to farmers in 2 years, Özkan said that these projects were carried out under the leadership of DAP and DAKA within the scope of the Social Development Support Program.

Stating that they realized these projects with a 75 percent grant, Özkan said: "This year, with the contributions of DAP and DAKA, we started the construction of 60 more greenhouses. Now, instead of importing the products the city needs from Antalya and Muğla, we would like to expand urban agriculture and supply them on-site. For this purpose, we support greenhouse farming. Derecik is a milder region with less snow in winter. It has fertile soils. Derecik is the center of attention in the region in greenhouse farming. Our tomatoes will no longer come from abroad. We will consume what we produce in our own district and local towns. These greenhouses will also provide considerable employment."

- "We are growing organic vegetables"

Agricultural engineer Mahmut Kaplan stated that they started greenhouse farming in the district for pilot purposes and determined that important products could be grown.

Explaining that they are trying to make Derecik a greenhouse region, Kaplan said, "We aim to direct our people here to production. Our state provides us with support. A farmer can earn a good income when he produces on two decares of land. People from other districts come and do their shopping here. We are also always in the ground. We are trying to support and inform our farmers."

Feyzullah Kaya, one of the producers, said that he established a greenhouse on an area of 700 square meters with the support he received this year. Stating that they produce cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers, Kaya said, "If there is a cooperative, we can be able to commercialize the products more easily. We are producing organic vegetables. Greenhouse farming is a very great business. Our weather conditions and soil are suitable. Until 4 years ago, there were 1-2 greenhouses. Now there will be over 100 greenhouses with the new ones. A significant amount of product is being harvested. Such projects contribute to the region economically."

 

Serhat Can state that he has been engaged in greenhouse farming for two years and said, "There are 4 different crops in our greenhouse. We were offered good conditions. I would like to develop it further."

 

Source: Anadolu Ajansı