11,000 tons of products are grown in 33 greenhouses around the Diyarbakir area in Turkey. These are sold both locally and exported abroad, mainly to Ukraine, according to Diyarbakir Food, Agriculture and Livestock County Manager Mustafa Ertan Atalar.
These 33 greenhouses were erected in 10 years with support from the state. The investments cost around 14.5 million USD, covered by government grants. These greenhouses also created employment for 800 people, most of them being women.
The grants were given in the amount of 11.5 million USD to 11 Agricultural Development Cooperatives and 3 million USD to 22 private investors around various Diyarbakir provinces, including Bismil. As a result of these grants given since 2007, 33 greenhouses were erected, with an acreage of 4.3 million square feet.
In his statement, Diyarbakir Food, Agriculture and Livestock County Manager Mustafa Ertan Atalar told that they have been working continuously to develop greenhouse production in the last 10 years. Atalar: “In our city, 22 greenhouses are established under the Rural Development Investment Support program with 50% of investments covered by government grants. These greenhouses are heated by alternative energy methods. Each one of these is designed between sizes of 55,000-75,000 square feet. Additionally, 11 greenhouses are built under the structure of Agricultural Development Cooperatives where each greenhouse is around 270,000 square feet and designed up to modern standards. Thus, all these investments total up to 33 greenhouses in 4.3 million square feet. In these investments, our ministry has provided credits through banks at a very low interest rate in the amount of 10 million USD, whereas 22 greenhouses are given 50% grants and 1.5 million USD is given in back payments. A total of 14.5 million USD worth of resources is spent for these greenhouse investments."
Atalar continued: “11,000 tons tomatoes and cucumbers are grown in these greenhouses and sold to neighboring cities. Additionally they were exported to Ukraine and many other countries. These greenhouses have created a lot of employment opportunities in the region, where 20 to 30 people are employed at every greenhouse on average. Another important point here is that most of these people working at greenhouses are women, thus we are creating job opportunities for women in our region and support their participation in the workforce. Our grants for greenhouses continues. Also additional grants are provided for alternative energy projects in greenhouses."
Omer Karademir, an owner of a 270,000 square feet greenhouse: “We built our greenhouse in 2008 and it cost around 1.1 million USD. We were able to do this with state support. Right now we have 45 employees, mostly women. Annually we produce around 450-500 tons and our goal is to increase our production to 650-700 tons for which we need additional support from the government, similar to the support that farmers receive regarding energy costs."
Source: guneydoguguncel.com