Harvest Underway for Drought-Resistant Heirloom Tomatoes in Demirci

September 11, 2026 · NTV Ekonomi

In Manisa's Demirci district, heirloom 'çeşni' tomatoes, grown without irrigation beyond the initial 'life water' and without pesticides, are bringing smiles to producers' faces with their long shelf life and high market demand.

Demirci's Waterless Tomato Season

The harvest excitement continues for traditional 'çeşni' tomatoes in Manisa's Demirci district, grown without any irrigation beyond the initial 'life water'. Production is carried out across approximately 2,000 decares in 30 rural neighborhoods, notably Kerpiçlik, Yiğitler, Sağnıç, Kazancı, Sevinçler, and Hoşçalar.

Demirci District Director of Agriculture and Forestry, Faruk Şenyurt, who stated that they support farmers at every stage, shared the following information about the production process:

'We are working to ensure our farmers grow their products in the best way and achieve the highest income. This waterless 'çeşni' variety constitutes the majority of the approximately 6,000-ton tomato production realized on 2,000 decares in our district.'

Natural Production and High Yield

Kerpiçlik Mahallesi plays a critical role in production, single-handedly meeting 3,000 tons of the district's total annual yield of 6,000 tons. A local farmer, who produces under completely organic conditions using only animal manure and mechanical maintenance without any pesticides, described the process as follows:

'From the moment we plant the seedling in the soil, we give it life water and never water it again. We grow the product using animal manure, regular weeding, and soil cultivation. There are absolutely no pesticides. Our harvest, which begins in July, continues until the end of November. These tomatoes maintain their freshness for 10-15 days outdoors and for 1 month in the refrigerator, just like the first day.'

High Demand for Heirloom Seeds

The product, which forms the livelihood of all 150 households in the neighborhood, receives intense demand from all over the country thanks to its high durability and flavor. Kerpiçlik Neighborhood Headman Şükrü Demiröz described the product's commercial success in the market with the following words:

'Our tomato is not a hybrid; it is an heirloom seed passed down through generations. We never face market shortages; we try to meet the demands coming from surrounding provinces as well as through social media. In November, we uproot the tomatoes that have not yet ripened, along with their roots, and hang them by the stem. While hanging, they continue to ripen as if they were in the garden, and we pick and sell them as they ripen.'

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