It is aimed to produce 2,500 tons of tomatoes annually with computer-controlled air conditioning in the 37-decare greenhouse, which was completed in Bandırma district of Balıkesir and is heated with the energy obtained from two wind turbines.

More than 50 tons of tomatoes per week can be grown at the facility, which was started to be built 6 years ago in Beyköy, and started production this year, by a company that works on modern agricultural techniques with renewable energy.

The energy obtained from two wind turbines located around the 37-decare facility, designed as glass, meets other electricity needs as well as heating the greenhouse.

Thanks to its wind turbines, the company reduces the energy costs in the greenhouse by 40-50 percent compared to sources such as natural gas, and provides significant savings. Thus, the company can produce tomatoes more cheaply than greenhouses that do not use such systems.

In the glass greenhouse, where 75 people are employed, all of which are computer-controlled, production can be continued with the soilless farming method for 10 months of the year, apart from the two-month renewal and maintenance period, with the air conditioning system that continues day and night.

The company aims to increase the production capacity to 6 thousand tons with the greenhouse to be built on an area of 35 decares within the scope of the project worth 700 million liras in total.-

"We will see similar investments more frequently "

Ertan İçen, the manager of the company, said that the entire energy source of the greenhouse is met from renewable energy.

Indicating that the greenhouse works with automation systems full of technological equipment, İçen stated that they will expand their greenhouse areas in the future. İçen emphasized the importance of energy in greenhouse cultivation and said:

"This is an important investment for our country. With the development of technology, renewable energy has become much more economical with the decrease in investment costs and the increase in electricity production efficiency. This situation is extremely important for our country. Renewable energy is of great importance, especially in the sector such as greenhouse cultivation, which is in great need of energy. We have taken the first step in this regard, and hopefully we will see similar investments more frequently in the coming period."

Explaining that the project will cost 700 million liras with 35 decares of land to be added, İçen said, "We have completed almost half of this investment. This project is our pilot project. We will increase the number of projects from now on. We are currently producing more than 50 tons per week, with these additional investments in the coming period the production will increase continuously. Thus, we will reach annual production figures of 6 thousand tons. With the increase in production with the new investment and the start of export, we will cover the investment cost in 5-6 years. First of all, we send our tomatoes to many cities of Turkey, including Ankara, İstanbul, Bursa, İzmir, Balıkesir. In September, our exports to all of Europe will begin via the Netherlands." he said.

Noting that Balıkesir and Çanakkale could be a pioneering region in greenhouse cultivation due to their climate, İçen said, "The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and Balıkesir Governorship supported us a lot. We thank them all." 

Source: Anadolu Ajansı