Turkish farmer turns scepticism into success with strawberry harvest

In south-eastern Türkiye, where strawberries were once dismissed as impossible to grow, one farmer has proved otherwise.

Ahmet Vural’s journey into strawberry farming began far from his home district of Viranşehir, in Şanlıurfa province. He first learned the trade while working in Antalya, a region known for its intensive agriculture.

After five years of hands-on experience, Vural returned home with a clear ambition: to grow strawberries in a place where many believed the soil and climate made it unviable.

Local scepticism was widespread. Neighbours warned that strawberries would fail in the region’s conditions, while others urged him to abandon what they described as a risky venture. Vural pressed ahead regardless.

Working alongside agricultural engineer Mustafa Tiler, he set up a small experimental greenhouse in the rural area of Eskikale last year. The trial quickly delivered unexpected results.

The strawberries were not only high-yielding but also rich in flavour and aroma. Encouraged by the outcome, Vural expanded production this year to around 60 acres across eight separate sites.

“We sell our strawberries to nearby provinces,” Vural said. “Traders, especially from Urfa, Mardin, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep and Kahramanmaraş, actively request our products. The reason is clear: our strawberries have excellent taste and aroma.

“Strawberries are generally a delicate fruit, and softness can shorten their lifespan. However, we have seen that strawberries grown in our region are firmer and have a longer shelf life.”

The project has also created new jobs in the area. About 60 people are now employed in the greenhouses, many of them women, providing a valuable source of income for local families.

Berfin Vural, who also works as a farmer in the strawberry greenhouses, said the success had exceeded expectations.

“We never imagined such a crop was possible, but it became a reality,” she said. “It feels like a miracle.”

What began as a personal experiment is now reshaping local attitudes. Farmers from across the region are contacting Vural for advice, hoping to replicate his success and signalling a potential shift in both agriculture and economic opportunity in the area.

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