Tekirdağ Producer Strengthens Greenhouse Farming with Biotechnology Training
· Google Haberler
Yasemin Güler Orhan, a greenhouse farmer in Tekirdağ, is increasing yields by combining her field experience with agricultural biotechnology engineering education and government grants.
Greenhouse Farming Strengthened by Academic Education
Yasemin Güler Orhan, 38, residing in the Süleymanpaşa district of Tekirdağ, has transformed her lifelong passion for agriculture into professional production. Following in the footsteps of her father, a agricultural engineer, Orhan completed her food technician degree. To further advance her 3 years of experience in greenhouse farming, she re-entered the university entrance exam. This year, she was accepted into the agricultural biotechnology engineering program. The producer aims to contribute to regional agriculture by combining her academic knowledge with the production of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, and ornamental plants in her greenhouse.
Biotechnology and Integrated Pest Management
Supporting her practical field knowledge with academic education, Yasemin Güler Orhan adopts good agricultural practices and environmentally friendly integrated pest management methods in her greenhouse. The producer sets up pheromone and sticky traps to monitor pest populations, acting based on population density rather than random spraying. Orhan researches varieties suitable for the climate conditions of the Thrace region and aims to maximize agricultural productivity by experimenting with locally bred hybrid seeds that show high resistance to diseases.
Certified Seedlings and Yield
Orhan emphasizes the critical importance of using certified seedlings in the production process, stating that this choice prevents fungal and viral diseases. She notes that the introduction of devastating root diseases like Fusarium wilt into the greenhouse is prevented thanks to certified materials, while significant yield losses are observed with non-certified products. Orhan states that she carries out plant cultivation with great care and love, and notes that selecting healthy seeds and seedlings is a fundamental requirement for sustainable agricultural production.
75% Grant from the Ministry
Tekirdağ Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry continuously supports young farmers within the scope of projects aimed at enhancing the utilization of agricultural lands. According to the program provided by the Ministry, 75% of the vegetable seedlings are covered by grants, with the remaining 25% covered by the producer's contribution. Orhan, who carries out seated tomato production with the grant-supported seedlings distributed, points to the importance of state supports that provide cost advantages and states that young entrepreneurs should closely follow agricultural grant programs.