Rainfall in Istanbul to Boost Sunflower Yield by 25%
· AA Tarım & Ekonomi
Favorable climate conditions and subsidized seeds in Istanbul's western districts are expected to increase sunflower yield by up to 25% compared to last year.
Expectation of Increased Sunflower Yield in Istanbul
As the sunflower harvest approaches across Istanbul, a significant increase in production is anticipated thanks to favorable weather conditions and the intensive efforts of farmers. Agricultural activities, particularly concentrated in the Silivri, Çatalca, Arnavutköy, and Büyükçekmece districts, are bringing smiles to producers' faces. The sunflower yield, recorded at approximately 44,000 tons across the city last year, is expected to see a 20% to 25% increase this season. Farmers are entering their fields with high yield expectations in the Çatalca plains, where harvest excitement has begun.
Climate Conditions Directly Increased Yield
Emre Uysal, a 35-year-old producer from the region, stated that he grows oilseed sunflowers on 300 decares of land in Bahşayiş Village, Çatalca. Emphasizing that the climate conditions positively affected plant growth, producer Emre Uysal made the following assessment:
Our region is a humid area. Rainfall has been quite high this year. It was sufficient for the sunflowers. That's why we are honestly expecting a higher yield this year. I expect at least a 20% increase in yield compared to last year. Yields are already very high in our region.
Crop Rotation System and Subsidies
Emre Uysal mentioned that they practice crop rotation to maintain soil fertility, stating that they plant wheat after the sunflower harvest. Drawing attention to the importance of public support, the producer stated that they obtained the seeds with a 75% subsidy from the Çatalca District Agriculture Directorate. Korkut Arıkan, a fourth-generation farmer, also stated that he produces on a 200-decare area and spoke about the state-subsidized seeds:
We have been in this business for 40 years. These lands in this region have been passed down from our grandfathers. This year, I am planting and harvesting sunflowers on a 200-decare area in this region. We are using the sunflower seeds with a 75% state subsidy. These are sunflower seeds that are very suitable for the climate and soil.
Marketing Channels and Price Balance
Touching upon the sales processes of the harvested products, producer Emre Uysal noted that they offer their products to Trakya Birlik, Tarım Kredi Kooperatifi, and traders in the free market. Stating that farmers choose the buyer offering the best price to receive fair compensation for their labor, producer Emre Uysal explained the purchasing process:
We sell our products to Trakya Birlik. Additionally, Tarım Kredi Kooperatifi also makes purchases. We also sell to traders. Naturally, producers try to direct themselves to wherever the price is better. Because we look after the crop for a year to grow, we strive for our product to be sold at its value.
Production Costs and Growing Periods
Producer Korkut Arıkan, who has been engaged in agriculture in the Çatalca region for 40 years, stated that sunflowers have significant advantages compared to wheat. Reminding that sunflowers mature in 4 months, while wheat has a 9-month development period, producer Korkut Arıkan evaluated the cost balance:
Wheat is sown in October-November, while sunflowers are sown in May and harvested in mid-September, depending on weather conditions. This means the planting cost for sunflowers is lower, and their pricing in the conjunctural economy is more favorable for the farmer.
Young Farmers and Future Goals
Emre Uysal stated that young people should be directed towards agriculture and explained that he is the youngest farmer in the village and aims to expand his cultivation areas. Producer Korkut Arıkan, who advocates that production is a strategic power, drew attention to the importance of agricultural production with the following words:
I think young people are very interested in agriculture lately. We need to initiate a return to villages here, thanks to the great opportunities provided by the state. We want to further expand our cultivation areas next year. We are always pushing the boundaries. Because producing is a very important thing, both for our country and for the world. Farming is an open-air factory. Just like every job has its difficulties, this job also has its challenges. But if we want to live, if we want to leave something for the future and our country, I think producing is necessary.