The first harvest has begun for the thyme planted over 37 hectares in Kocaeli under the TABİP project, with the obtained oils to be used in the pharmaceutical, dietary supplement, and cosmetic industries.
In Kocaeli, the first harvest has begun for the thyme planted over 37 hectares under the "Medical and Aromatic Plant Cultivation Project" (TABİP). The thyme oils produced are intended for use in the pharmaceutical, dietary supplement, and cosmetic industries.
Launched four years ago by Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality to encourage farmers to grow high-value products, increase their income, and support agricultural development, the TABİP project has brought rosemary, mint, lemon balm, and thyme to approximately 1140 decares (114 hectares) across the province. The thyme planted on 37 hectares last year has now reached maturity and is being harvested.
The thyme harvest is carried out using a trailer-mounted aromatic plant harvesting machine, designed and produced entirely with national and local resources by the Metropolitan Municipality. This machine, used for the first time in Kocaeli, allows for a rapid harvest without damaging the plants.
The planting areas have been insured. Under the supervision of Sekapark A.Ş., all agricultural activities, certification processes, training, and field applications over five production years are conducted in accordance with international organic plant certification standards. Annual plant insurance policies for the areas where seedlings are planted are covered by Sekapark A.Ş. The Metropolitan Municipality’s agricultural engineers and Sekapark A.Ş.'s technical team ensure necessary checks on the planting fields and provide technical consultancy to farmers.
With the TABİP project managed by the Metropolitan Municipality, Kocaeli, known as an "industrial city," is rapidly advancing towards becoming a center for medical and aromatic plant production. The harvested medical and aromatic plants are processed at the Distillation Center and Supercritical Fluid Extraction Facility established by the Metropolitan Municipality. The essential oils obtained from these high-value agricultural products are used in the pharmaceutical, dietary supplement, and cosmetic sectors.