Van Agricultural Research Institute Directorate continues its work in the field of meadows, pastures and forage crops in the city, which has extensive pastures and plateaus.
In this context, work was started in 2024 to popularize the salt bush, which is native to North America and stands out with its resistance to drought and high salinity soils.
Saltbush seedlings, provided in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM) and the General Directorate of Plant Production (BÜGEM), were planted in the seed production area created within the institute.
After receiving positive results from the adaptation studies, seedling production from seeds was started in greenhouses. The seedlings, which reached a sufficient level of development, were planted in the soil in an area of approximately 20 decares.
It is planned to grow new saltbush seedlings with the seeds obtained from the seedlings and to spread this plant in pastures and drought areas throughout Van.
Saltbush, which can remain green throughout the year and offers an alternative forage source in animal husbandry thanks to its high protein content, is expected to contribute to the utilization of arid and infertile areas and to the fight against erosion.
"Next year, we will rapidly increase seedling production and expand saltbush production in the region."
Van Agricultural Research Institute Director Dr. Gülüstan Korkmaz told the AA correspondent that the institute, which was established in 2022, provides services to Bitlis, Muş, Ağrı and Hakkari as well as Van.
Stating that the institute started research and development studies in different fields in a short time, Korkmaz stated that its main duties are to increase and diversify plant and animal production in the region, especially in Lake Van and Zap Basin, and to increase productivity.
Korkmaz explained that they carry out R&D and training activities in a wide range of areas, from crossbreeding and breeding studies to meadow-pasture management, from small livestock breeding to medicinal and aromatic plants, and the effective use of soil and water resources.
Stating that the work on the salt bush will start in 2024, Korkmaz said:
"In this context, we first assigned two of our staff in December 2024. We started training studies on this subject. Our friends completed their training on production. We started actively growing saltbush in our field as of 2025. In the first stage, we created a breeding garden with 2 thousand seedlings in an area of 20 decares. As of 2026, we started to produce seedlings from seeds in our greenhouse. Next year, we will rapidly increase the production of seedlings and expand saltbush production in the region. The main goal of the work is "The aim is to improve meadow and pasture areas. By increasing grass yield and feed quality in these areas, it is aimed to reduce forage costs, which are one of the important expense items of livestock enterprises."
"We aim to get the first seeds from our breeding garden next year"
Stating that they want to create their own seed resources to make production sustainable, Korkmaz said, "After growing these seedlings, our main goal is to get seeds from them, to produce seedlings from these seeds again and to popularize saltbush cultivation in our pasture areas to combat erosion and meet the roughage needs of animals. We started our work this year. We aim to get the first seeds from our breeding garden next year." he said.
Explaining that they expect the salt bush to contribute to the fight against erosion as well as pasture improvement, Korkmaz said that the plant will also enable livestock enterprises to reduce their costs.
Pointing out that roughage expenses constitute an important cost item in livestock enterprises, Korkmaz said, "The improvement of meadow and pasture areas and the increase in the grass yield and roughage quality of these areas will directly contribute to reducing feed costs, which is the most important expense item of livestock enterprises." he said.
