Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Provides Multifaceted Support to Producers
· Tarım Pusulası
Mersin Metropolitan Municipality has provided extensive grant and equipment support, ranging from olive cultivation and beekeeping to vegetable production, small ruminant farming, and fishing, aiming to strengthen rural development.
Mechanization and Support in Olive Harvesting
Through the Olive Harvesting Machine Support Project, implemented by Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, direct technological support has been provided to small-scale olive producers. Mechanical harvesting and shaking machines, provided with a 100% grant, were delivered to 347 olive producers in the Mezitli, Toroslar, and Yenişehir districts, who are registered in the Farmer Registration System and own between 1 and 5 decares of olive groves. The project, which aims to minimize costs during the harvest period requiring high labor, has significantly reduced labor expenses in the collection process for producers.
Solar-Powered Security Network in Beekeeping
Within the scope of the Solar Camera Support Project, which aims to strengthen the technical infrastructure of producers in rural areas, 296 beekeepers operating in Anamur, Aydıncık, Bozyazı, Akdeniz, Mezitli, Yenişehir, and Toroslar districts received solar-powered camera systems with a 100% grant. These equipment aim to enable remote, uninterrupted monitoring of apiaries and enhance hive security. Abdullah Selçuk Şahutoğlu, Head of the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Department of Agricultural Services, announced that they aim to expand their target this year by distributing solar cameras to a total of 1,000 producers.
Grant Distribution in Vegetable and Flower Cultivation
To encourage alternative agricultural production and diversify the product range, 250,000 narcissus bulbs were distributed to 125 producers in the Akdeniz, Mezitli, Tarsus, Toroslar, and Yenişehir districts with an 80% grant, as part of the Narcissus Bulb Distribution Project. Support for plant production did not stop there; within the Cucumber Seedling Distribution Project, 108,000 PS-64 pole cucumber seedlings were delivered to 100 producers in Aydıncık with a 70% grant. Additionally, 5,370 almond saplings were provided to 179 farmers in Anamur, Aydıncık, and Bozyazı.
Livestock and Fisheries Initiative in Rural Areas
In line with the 'Come Let's Support Our Village' Project, ongoing since 2020 to accelerate the return to rural areas, a total of 100 small ruminant animals and 16 tons of feed support were provided to 4 producers in the Anamur, Aydıncık, and Bozyazı districts. Alongside this aid, which aims to revitalize small ruminant farming, coastal fisheries were not overlooked. Various nets and equipment materials were delivered by municipal teams to 71 small-scale fishermen who are members of fisheries cooperatives and experienced income loss during the fishing season.
Local Struggle Against Input Costs
Speaking at the Agricultural Support Ceremony, Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Head of Agricultural Services, Abdullah Selçuk Şahutoğlu, stated that producers will be protected against input costs with in-kind support in the field, saying:
'Easing the burden on the producer is also a guarantee for the future of our city and our country. We continue to walk alongside our producers in every field, from small and large-scale livestock farming, beekeeping, and fishing to plant production and feed support.'
| Value | Period | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 347 people | — | Number of producers receiving olive harvesting machine support |
| 1-5 decares | — | Land size criterion for olive support |
| 100% | — | Grant rate for harvesting machines |
| 296 people | — | Number of beekeepers who received solar cameras |
| 1000 producers | this year | Total number of solar cameras targeted for distribution |
| 125 people | — | Number of producers receiving narcissus bulb support |
| 80% | — | Grant rate for narcissus bulbs |
| 250,000 units | — | Quantity of narcissus bulbs distributed |
| 100 people | — | Number of producers receiving cucumber seedling support |
| 70% | — | Grant rate for cucumber seedlings |
| 108,000 units | — | Quantity of PS-64 cucumber seedlings distributed |
| 179 people | — | Number of producers receiving almond sapling support |
| 5,370 units | — | Number of almond saplings distributed |
| 100 heads | — | Quantity of small ruminants distributed |
| 16 tonnes | — | Quantity of small ruminant feed distributed |
| 4 people | — | Number of producers receiving small ruminant support |
| 71 people | — | Number of fishermen receiving material support |