SS ÇEŞMEKÖY Agricultural Development Cooperative for the Gum Tree Heritage and EGİAD A cooperation protocol was signed between the two companies within the scope of the “Gum Tree Fountain Project”.
The project My Gum Tree Çeşme aims to bring back to its homeland Çeşme the mastic trees that grow only on the Chios Island and Çeşme Peninsula in the world and are on the verge of extinction in Çeşme, and SS ÇEŞMEKÖY Agricultural Development Cooperative and EGİAD Aegean Young Businessmen Association came together. Donated Gum Saplings to the Cooperative EGİAD, has started work to create a grove in Çeşme in his name. The resins obtained with great effort from mastic trees that can live for many years are delivered to producers to be used in 250 different sectors, and the tree has great importance in the fields of agriculture, tourism, employment and gastronomy.
To support the future of gum trees EGİAD The protocol signing ceremony between the two institutions took place at the Association Center, EGİAD Chairman of the Board of Directors Kaan Özhelvacı, SS Çeşmeköy Agricultural Development Cooperative President Kazım Beyaz, EGİAD With Member and Project Coordinator Hasan Ege Tütüncüoğlu EGİAD Members of the Board of Directors attended.
EGİAD Chairman Kaan Özhelvacı shared the starting point and process of the project with the participants and said that they will be in Çeşme with their support. EGİAD He stated that the Gum Tree Grove was established. Özhelvacı emphasized that the gum tree does not only have economic value but is also an important part of the ecosystem and biodiversity, “EGİAD will continue to be an example with its projects that add value to the environment and nature. As we all know, climate change is one of the biggest environmental problems facing our world today. Making a name for itself with the projects it has carried out in the protection of natural resources and combating climate change EGİAD, plays a leading and key role among NGOs with such studies. The mastic tree, which grows naturally in the Chios Island and Çeşme region, and is an endemic plant species with high economic value and whose resin is used, is also known as the “Golden dripping tree”, and is a heritage of our lands and culture, in addition to its economic value and contribution to nature. At this point, it is very important to increase mastic production in our country and to produce a permanent solution to this issue by providing income to the regional and national economy. We set out with the aim of making a sustainable contribution and took steps to leave more mastic trees for future generations with the support of our members. In this context, we are happy to plant mastic tree saplings. The project, which aims to technically develop mastic gum in İzmir and Çeşme and introduce it to the sector and the country; will also contribute to the goal of mastic gum becoming known first in Turkey and then worldwide and being known as the “mastic gum of Çeşme”. “The fact that the cooperative employs local women, who are one of the important building blocks of the project during the care and planting of these saplings, is also an important dimension in terms of employment,” he said.
Project Coordinator Hasan Ege Tütüncüoğlu expressed the history of the mastic tree, how it grows and its importance. EGİADStating that 'provided a development model compatible with nature and made a significant contribution to the promotion of Çeşme Gum Mastic, which is unique to the region, has a geographical indication and has high added value, Tütüncüoğlu thanked everyone who supported them. Emphasizing that this step, which supports regional development and aims for environmental sustainability, will further enrich İzmir's green areas while helping the region gain a stronger position in international markets, Tütüncüoğlu thanked everyone for their support. EGİAD He expressed his gratitude to the President Özhelvacı.
Reminding that the tree is quite valuable and also a tree that holds on to life and lives for thousands of years, SS Çeşmeköy Agricultural Development Cooperative President Kazım Beyaz said, “Its branches touch the ground, as it grows older, it takes root where it touches and starts to live again. Even when it burns, it gives new shoots from its roots. Today, we can produce as many mastic trees as you want with mastic trees, which are the agricultural product of the future for both Çeşme and İzmir and will be the lifeblood of our farmers’ economy. The mastic tree has a very high economic value for our country and the world. Approximately 150-200 tons of mastic is produced annually on the island of Chios and is used in 60 different products. Today, its market value is over 5 billion dollars. When you look at it, the island is an area of 912 square kilometers. However, in our country, there are mastic trees that have been idle from the past on the peninsula, in Urla, Karaburun and Seferihisar. I hope that under the leadership of Çeşme, the benefits that mastic trees can provide to our country will be understood.”
