Erzurum Increases its Share in Turkey's Sunflower Production to 11%
· AA Tarım & Ekonomi
Sunflower yield in Erzurum has surged tenfold in five years to 36,000 tons, driven by irrigation investments and fertile soil, boosting the province's contribution to Turkey's total production to 11%.
Record Increase in Production Over Five Years
In recent years, the development of irrigation infrastructure, mechanization, and high market value in Erzurum have led farmers to focus on sunflower production. According to the Agricultural Information System data, the planted area, which was 21,000 decares in 2021, increased to 115,000 decares in 2026. Alpaslan Kenger, Erzurum Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, reported that the province's yield has risen from 3,600 tons to 36,000 tons, and the number of producers has grown from 980 to 3,210. Kenger also noted a 20-25% per decare increase in cereal crops, stating that the disease-free nature of the soil directly supports the harvest yield.
Irrigation Investments Boosted Production Share
Irrigation facilities commissioned by the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) have played a decisive role in the rapid spread of sunflowers, a crop that thrives with irrigation, across the province. Alpaslan Kenger, Erzurum Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, evaluated the change in the province's national share with the following words:
"When we combine the irrigation facilities continuously commissioned by the State Hydraulic Works, we can observe an increase in the cultivation of sunflowers, a value-added product. In 2021, our province produced 2.23% of Turkey's total. In 2026, we are producing 11% of Turkey's sunflower production in Erzurum."
Kenger emphasized that farmers' interest in sunflowers, which have high added value, continues, and with the commissioning of new irrigable agricultural lands, the total production volume is expected to increase further in the coming years.
Strict Field Inspections During Harvest Season
Official controls are continuously being carried out throughout the ongoing harvest season in Erzurum to prevent product loss. Alpaslan Kenger, Erzurum Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, explained the field operations conducted to minimize combine harvester-related grain loss as follows:
"Currently, 23 of our colleagues, along with 10 teams and 10 vehicles, are keeping the combine harvesters under constant control in the field."
These inspections, carried out by expert personnel, aim to prevent grain loss and ensure that the record harvest is delivered to the market with high efficiency.