Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Atalik Wheat Project

The harvest of 16,250 kilograms of local wheat seeds distributed to producers this year within the scope of the heirloom wheat project carried out by Mersin Metropolitan Municipality has begun. This project aims to revive forgotten heirloom seeds and protect and market local wheat varieties.

The project started in 2020 in the Balandız Neighborhood of Silifke, and in 2023-2024, 16,250 kilograms of heirloom wheat seeds were distributed to 130 producers in 11 neighborhoods in Silifke. Despite increasing input costs, the producers in the project were supported and allowed to continue their production. Producers are also given a buyback guarantee for the marketing of post-harvest products.

The Metropolitan Municipality has distributed a total of 26 thousand kilograms of seeds to 214 producers in the last 4 years with the heirloom wheat seed support it provided to producers within the scope of the project. In addition, the feedback they received from the producers was positive and as the project became a role model throughout Turkey, similar demands began to come from cities such as Antalya and Adana.

Feedback from Manufacturers

• İsa Şahin (Pelitpınarı Neighborhood Headman):“The municipality’s agricultural supports encourage people to produce. Agricultural supports are really appropriate. Previously, only wheat and chickpeas were planted in these fields. Now we have products such as strawberries, almonds and cherries. We are slowly switching to irrigated agriculture and we want this to continue.”
• Huriye Saz (Producer):“The spread of ancestral seeds makes us happy. We want this wheat to become widespread because we think modern seeds are not healthy. In addition, by not leaving our ancestors’ lands empty, we contribute to the country’s economy and increase production.”

Impacts and Results of the Project