Watermelon Harvest in Iğdır
Alican Açkan, known as the 'exemplary farmer' residing in the village of Oba in the center of Iğdır, harvested the normal watermelons and the black watermelons he planted and took special care of during the autumn season.
Known as the "Çukurova of the East," Alican Açkan, a farmer in Iğdır for years and known as an exemplary farmer, harvested watermelons in the autumn season. Alongside the watermelons planted at the usual time, the Iğdır farmer also planted the black watermelon, known as an heirloom and hybrid. While other watermelons were being harvested, Açkan paid special attention to these black watermelons, which take a long time to mature. The harvest of the watermelon, which ripened in the autumn season, coincided with the autumn season. Açkan mentioned that many people are surprised when they see this watermelon, but in fact, it has been inherited from ancestors and is planted every year. Açkan said, "We also have big joys and small joys. Traditionally, during the regional Çile Bayramı (Watermelon Festival), we always cut watermelons, which is a festival for us. The watermelon we planted and harvested today is a hybrid and has been coming as a black watermelon for years. The unique feature of this watermelon is that it is black and comes from my father and grandfather. I claim that there is currently no watermelon in open fields throughout Turkey. We give this watermelon to supermarkets, those who crave watermelon, pregnant sisters, and our brothers in need. We provide this watermelon for these needs. Since this watermelon requires care, we have taken care of it, and that's why it has come to this day. The harvest of this watermelon will continue until December 21st."
Turgay Bağrı, the President of the Iğdır Chamber of Agriculture, stated that agricultural production in Iğdır lasts for 9 months, saying, "In Iğdır, the vegetation period is still ongoing. This means that if we consider November as part of the production season, it means that we cannot produce a crop for three months in Iğdır. We have a 9-month production. This is not a situation that will be granted to every province. This is crucial due to the microclimate feature of Iğdır. Therefore, in agriculture, producing a crop earlier or later is an advantage for us. Currently, we are challenging the climate. We are challenging both the fall and the spring. Hopefully, we will further advance this in Iğdır. It is currently impossible to see watermelons in open fields in Turkey. We have watermelons with a taste of spring. People should buy this watermelon by respecting it."
Ahmet Tingiş, the Director of Agriculture and Forestry of Iğdır, stated that Iğdır is prone to production in terms of climate, saying, "Watermelon production has started to increase in recent years in our province. Our watermelon harvest is still ongoing. Our Iğdır Plain demonstrates its yield and potential. We will continue to be with our producers at every stage."
