Lavender harvest started in purple fields in Kocaeli

KOCAELI (IGFA) – The “Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Cultivation Project” (TABİP), which was implemented by the Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality with the aim of increasing the income level of farmers, encouraging them to grow high value-added products and supporting agricultural development, aims to produce 1140 million medicinal plants in an area of ​​about 5 decares in the first phase in the entire province. and brought the aromatic plant together with the soil. The first harvest of lavender grown in this context has started.

FARMERS ARE SMILING
In Kocaeli, one of the few cities where tourism, industry, education, agriculture and livestock coexist, the Metropolitan Municipality’s support projects for farmers make producers happy. TABİP, one of the most valuable rural development initiatives in Kocaeli, highly appreciated by Metropolitan Mayor Tahir Büyükakın, supports the growers of rosemary, medicinal mint, lavender and lemon balm with high added value. Under the project, 5 million aromatic plants have been planted so far. The project, which aims to stop rural-urban migration and encourage people to return to the countryside from the city, also provides employment to female farmers.

FIRST LAVENDER HARVEST OF THE SEASON IS DONE

The harvesting of lavender flowers planted in the 13-decare field of İbrahim Turan in the Tahtalı district of the Derince district is done by female workers employed by the Metropolitan Municipality and also by an aromatic plant harvester with a trailer, the design and production of which were built by the Metropolitan Municipality with completely national and local resources. The lavender harvesting in the purple fields, which offer a visual feast, is done more efficiently thanks to the machines used.

ESSENTIAL OIL IS OBTAINED FROM LAVENDER FLOWERS

Essential oils of high economic value are obtained from the harvested lavender flowers in the Extraction and Distillation Center of the Metropolitan Municipality. These oils are used in cosmetics and cleaning products, as well as in medicines and food supplements. Lavender flower, which is also used in aromatherapy applications with its analgesic, sedative and insomnia-relieving properties, is also consumed as a tea.

PLANTED SURFACES WERE INSURED
Under the supervision of Metropolitan Municipality Sekapark AŞ, all agricultural activities, farmer certification process, training and field practice supervision are carried out in accordance with organic plant certification in accordance with international standards for 5 years of production. Annual plant insurance policies of the places where seedlings are planted are covered by Sekapark AŞ. In accordance with the project, Metropolitan agricultural engineers and Sekapark AŞ technical team carry out necessary inspections of the fields to be planted, while also providing advisory services to farmers on technical issues. The project offers farmers a purchase guarantee.

MANUFACTURERS ARE SATISFIED
İbrahim Turan, a producer from Derince who harvested lavender in his field, said that he participated in the TABİP project of the Metropolitan Municipality and grew lavender in his 13-hectare field and rosemary in 22-hectare land, and they got the best harvest this year. Turan said that he is happy with the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants: “We used to plant barley, wheat and corn. I was introduced to the Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Cultivation Project with the contributions of our Metropolitan Municipality Leader. Lavender and rosemary are a more profitable product. In addition, the purchase is guaranteed. We can sell our works without loss and in a usable form. Works with high added value have brought harmony to our region. I recommend it to manufacturers. These works should be produced more. I want this support to increase. I would like to thank our Mayor of the Metropolitan Municipality, Tahir Büyükakın, for his support.”