He bought a sapling from his friend, now he sells it for 30 lire.

In the Gazipaşa district of Antalya, Muhammet Görgülü started production of the tropical kiwano fruit known as “horned melon”, which he planted in a one-acre greenhouse for testing.

Due to the region’s tropical climate, growers in Alanya and Gazipaşa districts turn to tropical plants for good yields and high income.

In two districts, where 42 types of tropical fruits can be grown, growers who smile with bananas, avocados, medlars, mangoes, pitahayas and passionflowers continue their efforts to add economic value to new tropical products.

Muhammet Görgülü, a 52-year-old fruit and vegetable farmer in Gazipaşa, was one of these growers.

10 THOUSAND PRODUCTS ARE WAITING TO BE HARVESTED IN YOUR GARDEN

Görgülü said that he had never been involved in tropical fruit production before.

Görgülü explained that he got into the production business by planting some saplings in his garden because he liked the taste of the fruit that he learned about 3 years ago through a friend, saying, “I produced saplings with the yield I got from the produce. test. I started planting the saplings I produced in a one acre interior area. The saplings I planted in January bore fruit. I also sell the ripe fruits as soon as I find a market,” he said.

Görgülü stated that he currently sells the product for 25-30 lira and pointed out that there are approximately 10,000 kiwanos in his garden waiting to be harvested.

‘THERE IS NO MARKET BECAUSE IT IS NOT KNOWN’

Stating that he replants the plant from which he buys crops once a year, Görgülü said, “My friend from whom I bought the saplings stopped production. I kept going and now I’m making money too. There is no market because it is not very well known at the moment, but despite that, I earn income by selling the products that I harvest”.

Stating that he is working for the export of the fruit, Görgülü said: “This fruit that I want to export to Europe is rich in vitamin C. It has immune-stimulating properties. During the epidemic, we consumed a lot as a family. Fortunately we were not sick. It is a fruit that also cleanses the intestines and has innumerable benefits.

Görgülü said that the fruit can be kept ready for consumption for 5 months at room temperature in a place that is not exposed to the sun, which facilitates marketing. (AA)