In Turkey's major strawberry growing center, Silifke in Mersin, banana growing in greenhouses is replacing tomato production and has reached 6,000 acres.
In the district, greenhouse tomato growers starting to develop banana production on the back of positive results from trials; last year bananas were grown on 4,000 acres, this year 6,000 acres have been planted.
Growers are directing their attention to banana cultivation as labour costs are lower. Prices start from between 2 to 3 lira and production is expected to increase further in the coming year.
Ismail Gurses was the first to grow bananas in the region. According to Gurses, Silifke’s microclimate is perfect for growing bananas and he believes the region will make a name for itself growing this fruit as well.
The bananas they are growing are sent to everywhere in Turkey, says Gurses "They said we couldn’t grow bananas in Silifke, but we proved them wrong. We performed trials and now we’ve started deliveries.’’
Silifke Chamber of Agriculture President Cafer Doygun, said: "Our producers have made important investments in this area and many are turning to banana production by swapping out the tomato greenhouses. An average of 10 tonnes is grown per acre."
(1 Turkish Lira=0.31 Euro)
Source: konhaber.com