Harvesting of watermelons has begun in the Suğla Plain of the Kumluca Neighborhood, affiliated with the Seydişehir district of Konya.
In the Seydişehir district of Konya, Mayor Mehmet Tutal assisted farmers in the field during the harvest, helping load watermelons onto trucks for both domestic and international export. Mayor Tutal noted that approximately 50 percent of the locally produced watermelons find buyers in foreign markets. It was stated that the Bağra Watermelon, grown in Seydişehir and present in the domestic market, is also exported to countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Germany, Russia, and Georgia, in addition to the domestic market.
Tutal emphasized that the Suğla land is one of Turkey's most productive lands. He stated, “Centuries ago, chickpeas were grown in the Suğla land in Seydişehir for making roasted chickpeas. For the last 15 years, different crops have been cultivated in these lands. Among them, the Bağra watermelon takes the lead. The Kumluca (Bağra) watermelon has become renowned in the Konya region. In the year 2022, over 16,000 tons of watermelons were produced within an area of 3,250 hectares. Watermelons are sent from here to cities including Urfa, Diyarbakır, and various other places during the summer season. The Bağra Watermelon, with its unique flavor, experiences high demand in both the domestic and foreign markets.”
Mayor Tutal noted that they are conducting efforts to further increase watermelon production in Seydişehir. He stated, “We have completed our work and submitted our application for the geographical indication of watermelons produced in our district under the name Seydişehir Watermelon. At the same time, we will continue to provide support to our citizens in terms of irrigation and seedling assistance to enable farmers to increase their production. We are always by the side of our producers.” Mayor Tutal engaged in negotiations with buyers who came from Urfa to Seydişehir and assisted in the watermelon harvest in the Kumluca Neighborhood.
