Strawberry Production Expands in Ağrı with 75% Grant Support
· Dünya Gazetesi
A 6 million Turkish Lira project in Ağrı has established 50 decares of modern strawberry fields, with expectations of yields up to 200 tons and high returns.
Strawberry Production Initiative in Ağrı
Strawberry cultivation, which was not widespread in Ağrı in previous years, has become one of the region's new agricultural production branches with public support. The suitability of the region's climate conditions for production and the high yields achieved have directed farmers' interest towards this crop. Within the scope of the Strawberry Production Development Project, launched in 2026 by the Ağrı Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, modern strawberry gardens of 500 square meters each were established for a total of 100 producers.
Six Million Lira Grant Support
Details regarding the financial structure of the implemented project were shared with the public. In the project, which has a total budget of 6 million Turkish Lira, producers contributed 1.5 million Lira, while the remaining 4.5 million Lira was financed by the Provincial Special Administration under the coordination of the Governorship of Ağrı. Mehmet Hüseyinoğlu, the Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry for Ağrı, announced that all equipment, from seedling supply to drip irrigation infrastructure, was delivered completely and that the project was carried out with 75% grant support.
Evaluating the scope and objectives of the project, Mehmet Hüseyinoğlu, the Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry for Ağrı, made the following statement:
"Our project, initiated in 2026, was approximately a 6 million Turkish Lira project. Within this project, we established 500-square-meter strawberry gardens for 100 growers. It was a complete garden setup project, covering everything from seedling distribution to drip irrigation systems and equipment. Approximately 1.5 million of this was the farmer's contribution share, and the remaining 4.5 million was a project realized under the coordination of our governorship with the support of the Provincial Special Administration. When we talk about strawberries in Ağrı, due to the climatic conditions, especially the high day-night temperature differences, we are talking about a very delicious product with high sugar content and aroma. In this sense, we are trying to both encourage our producers and increase strawberry production. The yield per decare for strawberries varies between 1.5-2 tons depending on the care. From the 50 decares of gardens we established this year, we expect approximately 100 tons of strawberry yield. With the previous support and established gardens, we expect a strawberry harvest of around 150-200 tons."
The Effect of Day-Night Difference on Aroma
It was stated that the temperature values in the region directly contribute to the quality of the strawberries. It was noted that production under Ağrı conditions enhances the quality for the domestic market, and the product adapts quickly to the climate structure. Yıldıray Karabaş, a strawberry producer cultivating in his garden in the Eleşkirt district, shared his experience and the support received with the following words:
"We started this business with 75% of the strawberry support provided by the Ağrı Provincial Directorate of Agriculture. There was no such strawberry cultivation here before. I can say that I started it. We have now received the second phase. Our strawberries are good. We are currently getting 1.5-2 tons per decare. I usually package the products I produce myself. I take orders, package them, and they come and pick them up from here. When the yield is good, and I also do the maintenance, it becomes a bit enjoyable. Maintenance is very difficult, but the profit is very good. If they can manage the care, strawberry cultivation, which has the most beautiful aroma in our region, is truly excellent. Considering the weather conditions, our nights here are 15 degrees Celsius, and our summer days are 21 degrees Celsius. This is ideal for strawberries. It both makes the aroma high quality and makes the product more delicious."