After her husband retired in Istanbul, Nurifer Ozyilmaz moved back to her birthplace of Giresun, where she now grows fruits and vegetables in a greenhouse she built with government assistance at 2,000 meters above sea level.
Ozyilmaz chose to stay in Yavuzkemal, a town in her hometown's Dereli region, with her husband, who retired ten years ago. Ozyilmaz applied last year for the Eastern Black Sea initiative Regional Development Administration-funded "Diversification of Rural Income Sources in Giresun Province" initiative, which is managed by the Giresun Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.
This year, Ozyilmaz established a greenhouse in her 2,000-meter-high garden in the Guzelyurdu district with the funds received from the project. Ozyilmaz, a mother of four, uses the greenhouse to cultivate watermelons, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and squash. After her husband retired, Nurifer Ozyilmaz said that they decided to move back to their hometown of Yavuzkemal from Istanbul.
The 60-year-old Ozyilmaz also shared her goal of cultivating fruits and vegetables in a greenhouse, pointing out that agriculture and animal husbandry are common in the area. Ozyilmaz clarified that she had gotten funding for the initiative she filed with the Giresun Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry last year to fulfill her ambition. "We built our greenhouse and started producing vegetables and fruits for the first time this year," she stated.
Ozyilmaz, explaining that he was apprehensive when starting the project due to the high altitude and harsh climate conditions, continued: "This place was my dream. I was already curious about it. We saw it online and wanted to produce it. The high altitude made us hesitate, wondering whether it would work here or not. But we did it, and it did. With government support, my dream became a reality. This year, we're producing for the first time. We did it, and we succeeded, and I'm very happy. I recommend it to everyone."
Ozyilmaz expressed her anticipation for a productive harvest season, saying, "I produce tomatoes, cucumbers, capsicum and green peppers, eggplant, zucchini, and watermelon. This year, we planted for trial purposes. I expect a yield of 500 to 1 ton. I aim to increase this figure in the coming years." Ozyilmaz stated that she sells her harvested crops in markets in the town and Giresun, adding that this contributes to the family's income.
Nurifer Ozyilmaz's husband, Omer Ozyilmaz, emphasized his pride in his wife, saying, "We established the greenhouse with government support. We are having a wonderful season. I thank the relevant institution officials for their support."
Source: Hurriyet
