The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry registered 7 tropical fruit varieties in the last four years and offered them to the sector in order to increase its cultivation in Turkey.
Tropical fruit cultivation, which started with materials brought from abroad for hobby gardens in the early 2000s in Turkey, continues to increase with the contribution of local saplings.
Within the scope of a project initiated by the Ministry, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policy (TAGEM) in 2012 under the coordination of Antalya Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, together with the Western Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute (BATEM) and Akdeniz University, pitaya, passiflora, mango, longan, litchi from the USA and a total of 11 varieties of guava species. Adaptation studies of these cultivars were carried out in open air conditions in Antalya's Gazipaşa district.
In the study, it was concluded that these species can be cultivated in the region.
In this context, 2018 passiflora and 1 pitaya cultivars were registered by the West Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute in 2, and 2020 mango, 1 litchi and 2 longan cultivars were registered in 1 and offered to the sector.
With the contribution of these registered varieties, many tropical fruit orchards have started to be established in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions, such as passiflora, pitaya and mango.
Since tropical fruits are generally damaged at temperatures below 4-5 degrees Celsius, production is carried out in greenhouses in many regions.
FIRST HARVEST IN COMMERCIAL MANGO GARDENS THIS YEAR
While pitaya fruit, which is mostly grown under cover, was grown on an area of approximately 3 thousand decares last year, the production area is expected to increase further this year.
Pasilora fruit, which develops similarly to pitaya, is grown in open field rather than under cover. The production area of pitaya in our country is around one thousand decares.
The cultivation of mango, which is one of the most suitable tropical fruits for the taste of the people of our country, continues with an increasing momentum. The first harvest in commercial mango orchards, which started in 2019, started as of this year.
Pitaya, passiflora and mango fruits produced in Turkey are offered for sale in supermarkets, chain markets and partially in markets. In addition, these fruits are also exported, albeit a little.
On the other hand, with the projects carried out by the West Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute; Introducing and adapting varieties of Carambola, Sapodilla, Mamey Sapote, Black Sapote, Soursoup, Cherimoya and Wampee varieties, especially coffee, continues.
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