As young people move away from agriculture, the average age of growers in Aydin has risen to 60. Contrary to this trend, 20-year-old Suleyman Enes Tugrul has established his own greenhouse in the Efeler district and begun producing strawberries through hydroponic farming methods. Mr. Tugrul has become a role model for his peers in the region. Tugrul stated that his goal in his automated greenhouse, which combines agriculture with technology, is to introduce Aydin strawberries to the world. He emphasized that working in agriculture always pays off and urged young people to consider this industry.
Tugrul, who produces strawberries using soilless farming methods in a 28,000-square-meter greenhouse built in the Specialized Agriculture-Based (Geothermal Heated) Organized Industrial Zone in Kadikoy, aims to introduce Aydin strawberries to the world through exports next year. The young farmer, who stated that he inherited his love of agriculture from his grandfather, Suleyman Tugrul, is making a significant contribution to women's employment at the facility he established with a $ 2.5 million investment. Noting that all greenhouse workers are women, Tugrul said, "We provide employment opportunities for the women in our villages. This success grows thanks to women's efforts."
Tugrul, who stated that he grew up surrounded by agriculture since childhood and that his love for agriculture led him into agriculture after university, said: "My grandfather was a farmer, and we started with him. I grew up on soil, too. We planted anise and fennel. We grew up like this. After conducting some research, I discovered the concept of soilless agriculture. It caught my attention, and as the third generation, I wanted to try it."
Tugrul added, "Combining technology with agricultural production is excellent for achieving high yield and adding value. It has been a childhood dream of mine to cultivate soilless agriculture and grow beautiful strawberries. I was studying e-commerce. After studying e-commerce, agricultural production became even more intriguing for me. I dropped out of my program. We then acquired some land and embarked on this adventure. My family is supportive, so I decided to start from scratch. I presented this idea, and they said, "If you're ready to venture, we're in," so I jumped into it. This is my first season, and our first goal is to measure our internal volume and sell it to the domestic market. After that, we'll export it. Next year, we'll export it and offer the end-user beautiful, pesticide-free, and reliable strawberries. That's our goal. My true goal is to add value to Aydin's strawberries and introduce them to the world."
Tugrul, who stated that young people are afraid of agriculture, said, "Some things are learned by experiencing them. One of the beautiful aspects of soilless farming is that you can add fertilizer to the seedling after planting it. We work with professional, supportive agronomists here, and they support us, ensuring we achieve the best possible yield from the seedlings. Getting support from professionals is crucial in this regard. Water is dwindling globally, and one of the beautiful aspects of soilless farming is that we can use water more efficiently, at the desired rate, as much as we need. This way, we save water. "
Source: Kusadasi Haber
