Kayseri gets 40% increase in potato acrage

In Kayseri, one of Turkey’s most important seed potato production centers, the planting area capacity increased by 38.39 percent.

Especially in Bünyan, Pınarbaşı, Tomarza, Yeşilhisar and Develi districts of Kayseri, where Turkey’s important potato needs are met, the harvest has started. The harvested potatoes are taken to natural storages in Nevşehir.

Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Bülent Saklav told AA correspondent that in line with the instructions of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and Kayseri Governorate, they support farmers in order to add value to the products.

Stating that Kayseri is favorable for potato production due to its geographical and climatic conditions, Saklav said:

“In Kayseri, we ranked fourth in Turkey by producing 490 thousand tons of potatoes on an area of approximately 11200 hectares in 2022. In the field controls and studies we carried out this year, thankfully, we have not encountered any diseases and pests as of now. At the same time, we were not affected by climatic conditions. Hopefully, we expect this yield to increase and multiply in 2023. Currently, 16K hectares have been planted and we expect to produce around 720 thousand tons of potatoes. Hopefully, our potato production will meet the needs of both some provinces in Turkey and Kayseri. There does not seem to be a problem for our farmers and us. I thank our farmers who produce.”

• “We will continue this profession”

One of the growers stated that he has been growing potatoes with his father for about 20 years.

Explaining that he has been producing potatoes on a total of 2 thousand decares of land in Bünyan and its villages this year, he said, “We make 30 hectares of this for seed production. We grow this for the areas we will plant next year. We produce under the control of the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry and with good agricultural practices. In our remaining 1700 acres, we produce edible potatoes that citizens can consume on their tables. We are practicing a sacred profession and we will continue to do this profession as much as we can.”

He said that they produce 45-50 tons of potatoes per hectare and employ about 150 people.

Stating that the harvest will last for 2 weeks, he said that they are satisfied with the harvest and prices of potatoes, which are currently trading at 9 to 11 liras per kilogram.

He further stated that they also export with intermediary companies in line with the demands and said, “We usually export potatoes to countries such as Syria, Iraq and Russia.”

Potato production report for 2022 in Turkey.