In Çorum's Kargı district, the first harvest was made in the greenhouse established with the support of the Middle Black Sea Development Agency (OKA).
First Harvest in Kargı Greenhouse with OKA Support
Tomatoes harvested by women in the greenhouse established in Kargı with the support of the Middle Black Sea Development Agency (OKA) have been offered for sale in the domestic market.
Under the Social Development Support Program (SOGEP) of 2022, coordinated by the Ministry of Industry and Technology's General Directorate of Development Agencies, the "Young Hands Producing in the Greenhouse" project has been implemented in cooperation with the Kargı District Governorship, Kargı Municipality, District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, Kargı Public Education Center, Kargı Chamber of Agriculture, and District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry. This project has established 7 greenhouses, each measuring 1,080 square meters. Initially, 48,000 lettuce seedlings were planted for trial purposes, followed by the planting of tomato seedlings. The project, with a total budget of 9.3 million TL at today's value, received 6.5 million TL in financial support from OKA.
Target: 150 Tons of Tomatoes
The tomatoes harvested in the first season have been sold in the domestic market, and the goal for this year is to produce 150 tons of tomatoes. The "Young Hands Producing in the Greenhouse" project aims to establish a model agricultural enterprise by developing and expanding greenhouse-based agricultural production in the Kargı district, while also increasing employment opportunities for women and youth.
"Greenhouse Cultivation Provides Employment for Women"
OKA Secretary General Mehlika Dicle highlighted that greenhouse cultivation has facilitated the participation of women in the economic and social life of the Kargı district. She stated, “With this project, we have contributed to the development of greenhouse plant cultivation in Kargı, a district with high rural population density and suitable fertile soils for growing many products due to its microclimate. During this harvest season, 30 women were employed in planting, weeding, maintaining, and harvesting tomato seedlings. Significant amounts of tomatoes have been sold in Kargı and neighboring provinces like Kastamonu. Our aim is to apply the training received by unemployed, low-income women and youth who have received greenhouse agriculture training, and to develop greenhouse farming activities in the district.”
"A Model for Different Agricultural Projects"
Kargı Mayor Hamit Dereli, who visited the greenhouse, noted that it will significantly contribute to the development of the district's agricultural sector. He stated that the project is expected to serve as an example for the implementation of different agricultural projects in the coming years. “This project is expected to contribute to the local economy and encourage greenhouse activities in our district. With the target of producing 150 tons of tomatoes, we aim to make quality and fresh products more accessible to our citizens. Additionally, our greenhouses provide employment opportunities for women,” he added.