Lavender harvest has begun in the purple fields of Kocaeli.

The harvest of lavenders, cultivated with the aim of promoting high value-added medical and aromatic plant production by Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality, has begun.

The “Medical and Aromatic Plant Cultivation Project” (TABİP) initiated by Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality aims to increase the income level of farmers and support agricultural development by encouraging the cultivation of high value-added products. In the first phase, approximately 1,140 decares of land across the province have been brought together with 5 million medical and aromatic plants. The first harvest of the lavenders grown within this scope has now commenced. TABİP, which is one of the most important rural development initiatives in Kocaeli, is supported by Kocaeli Metropolitan Mayor Tahir Büyükakın, providing assistance to producers of high value-added rosemary, medicinal mint, lavender, and catnip. The project also aims to stop the migration from rural to urban areas and promote the return from cities to rural areas, while providing employment opportunities for female farmers.

“High value-added essential oils are obtained from lavender flowers”
The harvest of lavender flowers planted on İbrahim Turan’s 13-decare field in the Tahtalı Neighborhood of Derince district is being carried out by female staff employed by the metropolitan municipality, using an aromatic plant harvesting machine designed and produced entirely with national and local resources. The essential oils with high economic value obtained from the harvested lavender flowers are processed at the metropolitan’s Extraction and Distillation Center. These oils are used in the cosmetics and cleaning products sectors, as well as in the pharmaceutical and dietary supplement industries. Additionally, lavender, known for its pain-relieving, calming, and insomnia-relieving properties, is also consumed as tea.

The planted areas are insured
Under the supervision of Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Sekapark A.Ş., all agricultural activities, the certification processes of farmers, training, and monitoring of field applications are carried out in accordance with international standards for organic plant certification over the course of 5 production years. The annual plant product insurance policies for the areas where seedlings are planted are covered by Sekapark A.Ş. In line with the project, the agricultural engineers of the municipality and the technical team of Sekapark A.Ş. provide the necessary checks on the fields to be planted and offer consultancy services to farmers on technical issues. The project guarantees the purchase of products from farmers.

“Lavender and rosemary are more profitable products”
İbrahim Turan, a producer from Derince who harvested lavender on his farm, stated that he participated in the TABİP project of the Metropolitan Municipality and has been cultivating lavender on 13 decares of land and rosemary on 22 decares of land, achieving the best yield this year. Expressing his satisfaction with cultivating medical and aromatic plants, Turan said, “Previously, we were planting barley, wheat, and corn. With the support of the metropolitan municipality, I got acquainted with the Medical and Aromatic Plant Cultivation Project. Lavender and rosemary are more profitable products. Moreover, there is a purchase guarantee. We can sell our products without loss and with profit. High value-added products have adapted to our region. I recommend these products to producers. These products should be cultivated more. I want these supports to increase. I thank Kocaeli Metropolitan Mayor Tahir Büyükakın for his support.”