Major Support for Farmers in Gülnar: Seedlings, Sulfur, and Milk Tanks Distributed

As part of the Agricultural Support Distribution Ceremony held in the Gülnar district of Mersin, a wide variety of materials and equipment assistance was provided to local producers. At the well-attended event organized at the Eski Otogar Alanı, production inputs such as tomato seedlings, dusting sulfur, and Leklek bean seeds were delivered to farmers by the Department of Agricultural Services. In addition, irrigation pipes, milk cooling tanks, and various agricultural machines were handed over to the eligible producers. The main purpose of this comprehensive support package is stated to be accelerating rural development. Aiming to reduce farmers' production costs and increase regional agricultural productivity, this step is expected to bring great vitality to the local economy.

The seedling support provided specifically for tomato producers during the distribution program drew significant attention. A total of 271 thousand 440 tomato seedlings were delivered to 145 producers, ensuring farmers' concentration in their planting areas. Furthermore, a total of 11 thousand 50 kilograms of dusting sulfur was distributed to 221 producers, making a significant contribution to plant protection processes. Experts state that the sulfur support will play a critical role in protecting crops from pests and diseases. Thanks to this, farmers living in the region will have the opportunity to harvest higher quality and healthier products. Such input support also aims to reduce the chemical burden on farmers in their agricultural struggles.

A special seed distribution was carried out within the scope of the Project for the Protection and Marketing of Local Products In Situ. To ensure the sustainability of the Leklek bean, which has high regional value, 150 kilograms of seeds were distributed to 15 farmers producing in Şıhömerli Mahallesi. The main goal of this project is to protect local seeds that are endangered or at risk of being forgotten and to provide farmers with a competitive advantage. In addition, it is planned to enable local products to reach wider markets through branding. Thanks to these regional products, farmers will both keep their cultural heritage alive and have the opportunity to increase their economic income. The project is expected to have positive reflections on the gastronomic tourism of the region.

Strengthening irrigation infrastructure and supporting livestock breeding were also among the most important items among the materials distributed at the ceremony. A total of 5 thousand 416 meters of irrigation pipes were provided to farmers in the Çavuşlar, Ilısu, Tırnak, and Zeyne mahalles of Gülnar, increasing the efficiency of agricultural irrigation. In this distribution, 4 thousand 912 meters of HDPE 100 pipes and 504 meters of steel pipes were used, paving the way for the installation of modern systems that save water. Four 300-liter milk cooling tanks were given to six breeders engaged in dairy cattle farming in the Dayıcık, Zeyne, Karşıyaka, Suçatı, and Sakız mahalles. Thanks to these cooling tanks, producers being able to store their milk fresh and healthy will greatly contribute to selling their products at their true value.

The technological aids provided under the Machinery Equipment Support Project also aim to lighten the workload of producers. A plum sizing machine was delivered to Gezende Mahallesi and an olive sizing machine to Kurbağa Mahallesi, facilitating the preparation of products in accordance with standards. Abdullah Selçuk Şahutoğlu, Head of the Mersin Büyükşehir Belediyesi Department of Agricultural Services, stated that multifaceted support between districts will continue uninterruptedly and that they will keep contributing to local products. Şahutoğlu also emphasized that, as a municipality, they will always stand by small-scale producers to ensure their labor is valued and they can market their products at the prices they deserve. Authorities added that such projects will continue to be implemented in different districts in the future in order to increase production and strengthen rural development.