Geothermal potential of Niğde and soilless agricultural production

In Niğde, a geothermal greenhouse established on an area of 40 decares will produce tomatoes using the soil-less farming method, benefiting from the 60-degree geothermal potential of Narlıgöl.

The project, brought to life through university and industry collaboration, supported by the Niğde Governorship and the Provincial Special Administration, will utilize the 60-degree geothermal potential of Narlıgöl, located on the borders of Niğde and Aksaray, for agricultural production. The facility, established to evaluate the geothermal resource with high potential in Narlıgöl while using domestic and national natural resources, will begin tomato production in the greenhouse with soil-less farming.

“Narlıgöl is one of the hottest spots in Turkey”

Project Coordinator Prof. Dr. Mehmet Şener, who provided information about the project developed at Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University TEKNOPARK, stated that Niğde is a province open to development in terms of geothermal potential in Anatolia. Şener expressed that Narlıgöl is one of the hottest points in Turkey and said the following about the established facility: “If we start from the scenario that a food crisis will begin worldwide, the correct use of domestic and national resources, minimal evaluation of water, and reducing carbon footprints are essential. The Republic of Turkey has signed international agreements. We have set out to utilize geothermal resources to walk this determined path. By leasing one of the licensed geothermal wells from the Niğde Governorship Provincial Special Administration, we have started greenhouse cultivation on an area of 40 decares. Soil-less farming will be conducted in the geothermal heated greenhouse, where tomatoes will be grown.”

Local people will be employed after learning the soil-less farming method

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Şener stated that the implemented project is a beautiful example of university and industry collaboration: “The company has a firm at Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University TEKNOPARK. Additionally, women in the region received training on soil-less farming through the Niğde Provincial Special Administration, Niğde National Education, and Niğde Public Education Center. When the plantings occur, 60 women and 40 men will be employed in the greenhouse. Since it is a very modern system, automation systems and software programs are also being developed through Niğde TEKNOPARK. It is a project developed based on modern techniques and scientific data,” he said.

Geothermal potential areas in Niğde are being researched

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Şener stated that Turkey ranks among the top three in the world in terms of geothermal potential, saying, “Niğde is a province in Central Anatolia that is open to development in terms of geothermal potential. The known areas are Çiftehan and Narlıgöl, and in our studies, there are 3-4 more potential areas. We are continuing development efforts through the Provincial Special Administration. It may sound ambitious, but we are sitting on one of the hottest points in Turkey. Here, the ground temperature rises to between 250 and 300 degrees at 2000 meters, but there is a fluid problem. Therefore, our projects are ongoing.” Şener pointed out that one of the solutions to global warming, the biggest problem of the era, is renewable geothermal resources, stating that their goal is to minimize carbon emissions through domestic and national resources. The tomatoes to be produced using the soil-less farming method in the completed greenhouse will be exported abroad.