Centuries-Old Melon Harvest Begins in Karabağlar Plateau

September 25, 2026 · antalyahurses.com

The harvest season for traditional plateau melons, grown without any irrigation in Muğla's Menteşe district Karabağlar Plateau, has commenced.

Harvesting was carried out within the scope of studies aimed at protecting local agricultural products, ensuring production sustainability, and disseminating indigenous genetic resources in Muğla's Menteşe district. Muğla Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Seyfettin Baydar and his technical team attended the event held in the fields of producers Mehmet Yıldız and Halise Dural in Karabağlar Plateau. Provincial Director Seyfettin Baydar stated that the plateau holds a critical place in regional agriculture due to its geomorphological structure and unique traditional production culture.

Traditional plateau melon cultivation continues uninterrupted on a total of 400 decares in Karabağlar Plateau and the Düğerek, Ortaköy, and Orhaniye neighborhoods. Planted in May when the soil is ready, the melons are grown using a completely rain-fed method without any irrigation throughout the entire production period. Harvested after two hoeing and earthing-up processes, the 3-4 kilogram melons are known for their suitability for winter storage. The melons, known by names such as Paris, Pıtraklı, and Hırsız Almaz, can be hung and consumed throughout the winter.

Through TAKE projects carried out in cooperation with the Aegean Agricultural Research Institute of the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies, Kırkağaç melon seeds, supported by a 75% grant, were delivered to farmers. This ancestor seed, which can reach a weight of approximately 7-8 kilograms and whose genetic structure has been preserved since 1963, stands out with its high yield potential. The Kırkağaç melon, which can be reproduced from its seeds and adapts to all soil types, provides a significant economic advantage to producers in the market due to its long shelf life.

Within the scope of the Ancestor Vegetables Project, launched in 2021 with the support of the General Directorate of Plant Production of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, a budget of 8 million 255 thousand TL has been allocated until 2025. During this period, 5,560,000 local seedlings were delivered to producers. In 2026, with a budget of 2 million 177 thousand TL, 200,000 tomato, 210,000 pepper, and 90,000 eggplant seedlings, along with 41 kilograms of seeds, were distributed to 500 producers at a 75% grant rate.

Ancestor seeds, with their high adaptability, allow producers to save their own seeds without external dependency, thereby reducing input costs. According to data from the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, vegetables can be grown outdoors for 9 months of the year thanks to the climatic advantages of Muğla's coastal and high-altitude regions. The project, which enables the use of less pesticides and chemical fertilizers, also contributes to strengthening employment by creating income opportunities for women producers living in rural areas.

In addition to plant production, the Muğla Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry has implemented 2026 fodder crop support to meet the roughage needs of livestock. With a 75% grant from the Ministry, 100 farmers were provided with silage corn seeds for cultivation on 1,000 decares. The use of drip irrigation in this production exceeded 50%. Furthermore, within the project, 94 growers were supplied with drought-resistant sorghum seeds for cultivation on 2,000 decares.

Türkçe