Biological success against pests in the capital of citrus.

The fight against the Mediterranean fruit fly, which hinders the export of fruits in Turkey, is yielding successful results with biological studies using beneficial insects and formen traps. In Mersin, which ranks first in citrus production in Turkey, initial measurements showed that the number of Mediterranean fruit flies, which had a density of around 32, has dropped to around 3.

While studies related to the Mediterranean fruit fly, which obstructs exports in Mersin, where citrus production is the highest in the country with 3.6 million tons, continue, positive results have begun to be obtained. Under the coordination of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, studies have transitioned to formen traps after the release of sterile and beneficial insects. The formen traps delivered to farmers in the region, especially in the fruit orchards of Erdemli Alata Horticultural Research Institute, have been beneficial. In the early stages of the fight, the density of the Mediterranean fruit fly, which was 30 to 32 in formen traps, has decreased to around 3. Mersin Governor Ali Hamza Pehlivan mentioned that the struggle has been ongoing for 12 months in conjunction with the regional provinces and delivered the formen traps sent by the ministry to the farmers.

Farmer Fatma Öztürk stated that the fight against pests is important for producing both quality and more efficient fruits.

Erdemli Agricultural Chamber Assembly President Hasan Topçu also expressed that with biological control, they would not suffer losses from the product and that especially in the fight against the Mediterranean fruit fly, the farmer’s money would remain in their pocket.

“We have an annual fruit production of 3.6 million tons”

Highlighting that Mersin is practically the capital of citrus fruits, Governor Ali Hamza Pehlivan stated, “We are especially first in fruit production in Turkey. We have an annual fruit production of 3.6 million tons, two-thirds of which consists of citrus. Mersin accounts for 50% of lemon production. It was necessary to initiate a fight against the Mediterranean fruit fly, which has emerged in recent years and also affects stone fruits. We have determined what needs to be done in the short, medium, and long term and created an action plan.”

“Significant progress has been made”

Governor Pehlivan noted that spraying and monitoring activities have been carried out in areas where there are leftover fruits in orchards, places with stable waste, and landfills, and as a result, the density of the Mediterranean fruit fly in traps, which was around 32, has fallen to 3-4. He reported that coordinated studies were also conducted with neighboring provinces, particularly Adana and Hatay, stating, “Because an integrated fight was needed. Within this framework of struggle, the number that had increased to 30-32 based on the figures from the formen traps and stations has decreased to 2.6. Recent measurements also show figures of 3 to 4. We have made significant progress. While chemical control measures are being implemented, we also allowed the biotechnical fight to promote organic and residue-free, pesticide-free production in actual fruit farming.”

“12-month essential fight”

Pehlivan emphasized that they have focused on fenomen traps this year to combat pests, stating, “In this context, 5,600 fenomen traps were procured from our ministry, and we delivered them to our farmers. One of the key points we need to emphasize is that this fight should not be at specific times but should be a continuous struggle throughout the year, for 12 months. To achieve success against the Mediterranean fruit fly and other pests, it needs to be ongoing. We have made significant progress in a short time in this regard. We are at the forefront in many areas of agriculture. Among these, citrus production is an indispensable area. We will continue these struggles to ensure that our yield and product quality do not decrease and that our farmers receive the value for their labor.”