It is more profitable than hazelnuts, its harvest ends in 1 day! Exactly 20 tons are produced from 10 decares...

Kiwi, whose production has become increasingly widespread in the province, has become an important source of additional income, along with hazelnuts, for producers, especially in the coastal and central regions. Ordu kiwi, which received geographical indication registration in 2019 with the work of the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, finds a place in the market with its unique aroma, high dry matter rate and long storage life.

Harvesting of ripe kiwis has started as of today. Ordu Governor Muammer Erol, together with the protocol members, attended the harvest program in the garden of the producer named Mustafa Hekim in Efirli District of Persembe district.

"ARMY KIWI IS IN THE FOREGOING"

Ordu Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, Bayram Ay, made a statement in the garden where the kiwi fruit was harvested and said that the product has been grown in the city for about 30 years. Reminding that Ordu kiwi was registered as a geographical indication in 2019, Ay said, "Due to its unique taste, aroma, high dry matter content and long storage life, which increases its marketing power, it was launched as a geographically indicated product in 2019 with the contribution of our Provincial Directorate. In this respect, Ordu kiwi is a geographically indicated product and stands out with its quality."

"9 THOUSAND 370 TONS OF HARVEST IS EXPECTED"

Stating that kiwi production is carried out on an area of 4 thousand 11 decares today, Ay stated that this year's yield is expected to increase by 51 percent compared to last year. Pointing out that production areas have expanded in recent years, Ay said, "According to the evaluations we made this year, a yield of 9 thousand 370 tons is expected. Last year, there was damage to plant products due to agricultural frost in many provinces. We have an increase of 51 percent compared to last year. There has been a significant increase in the last 5 years with the support of our Ministry, DOKAP, the World Bank and various budgetary organizations. There has been an increase in kiwi areas of 317 decares."

CONTRIBUTION TO THE ECONOMY IS 375 MILLION LIRA

Noting that kiwi plants will be established in 4 more gardens this year within the scope of the Ministry's rural development investment supports, Ay said, "We expect it to contribute 375 million lira to the economy of our city as of this year. On this occasion, I wish our producers a fruitful harvest season."

"IT WAS AN ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF INCOME IN ADDITION TO HAZELNUT"

Mustafa Hekim, who has been a kiwi producer for about 16 years, stated that he received approximately 20 tons of product from his 10-acre garden. Stating that kiwi is more profitable than hazelnuts, Hekim said, "I have been producing since 2010. We produce it as additional income in addition to hazelnuts. I have a 10 decare garden. I get about 20 tons of kiwi from 10 decares. Of course, it is more profitable than hazelnuts. It is more profitable because it weighs more than hazelnuts as a product. The harvest is completed in one day by 20-25 people."

Workers working in the harvest also stated that picking kiwis is easier and more fun than harvesting hazelnuts, but maintaining the gardens is difficult for the producers. Workers also stated that the hot weather did not affect them, especially in summer, and that Ordu kiwi was delicious.

Thursday District Governor Burak Akeller, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Senior Colonel Levent Bayrak, Ordu Beekeeping Research Institute Director Şeref Çınbırtoğlu, DSI 75th Branch Manager Mehmet Kural and Turkish Chambers of Agriculture Union Board Member and Thursday Chamber of Agriculture President Arslan Soydan also attended the harvest program.