Wheat harvest in Ordu.

The harvest of buckwheat, which was planted as a trial in recent months as part of the efforts initiated by Ordu Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Mehmet Hilmi Güler with the slogan ‘self-sufficient city’, has begun. Buckwheat, one of the products guaranteed by the Metropolitan Municipality, has adapted to the Ordu soil and has brought a smile to the faces of producers with its yield.

Important product for those with gluten issues

The Ordu Metropolitan Municipality has taken action for the production of buckwheat, an important product for those with gluten sensitivity, as the demand in Turkey has exceeded 40 thousand tons. In Turkey, where only 2 thousand tons of the 40 thousand tons demand is produced, a trial planting of buckwheat was carried out in Ordu for the first time under the leadership of the Metropolitan Municipality to create an alternative income source for producers and to contribute to domestic production.

As part of the efforts to develop and spread buckwheat cultivation, 1200 kilograms of buckwheat seeds were distributed to producers in the neighborhoods of Konacık, Üçyol, Doğançam, and Yağmurlar in the Mesudiye district. After a productive growing season, the buckwheat harvest has commenced.

“We want to expand production areas”

Mustafa Başarslan, the President of the Mesudiye Agricultural Chamber and also a producer himself, stated that they were pleased with the yield obtained despite it being the first trial and noted that buckwheat loves the Mesudiye soil. He mentioned that due to both the quantity of the product obtained and the lack of damage from wild animals to buckwheat, it is an important product, and they plan to expand the planting areas in the coming years. “In May, we planted buckwheat with the support of our Metropolitan Municipality. After 2.5 months, our product yielded beautifully, and the harvest time has come. In the coming years, we will work to ensure that this product is planted in larger areas,” he said. Başarslan added, “Additionally, we expect a yield ratio of approximately 1 to 20, 1 to 30 in terms of product quality. We thank the Mayor of the Ordu Metropolitan Municipality for their support. We expect buckwheat to be the number one product in evaluating the idle lands of Mesudiye.”

Producers thank Mayor Güler

Engin Atmaca, who continues agricultural and livestock activities in the Mesudiye Üçyol neighborhood, expressed that they are pleased with the buckwheat production they started with the support of the Metropolitan Municipality. He stated that the guaranteed purchase of buckwheat has made many producers, including himself, happy and conveyed their thanks to Ordu Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Mehmet Hilmi Güler for his support.

Guaranteed purchase product

On the other hand, the products harvested from seeds distributed with a purchase guarantee to producers will be purchased again by the Metropolitan Municipality, as is the case with many agricultural projects.