Konya Becomes Türkiye’s Fifth-Largest Lavender Producer Through Municipal Support

Seedling and equipment support provided by the Konya Metropolitan Municipality as an alternative to traditional grain farming on the Konya Plain has helped the province rise to become Türkiye’s fifth-largest lavender producer, supplying approximately 6 percent of the country’s total lavender output, thanks to the establishment of a dedicated distillation facility.

Land that once yielded little due to water shortages—where barley and wheat were grown with limited success or left uncultivated altogether—has been transformed from fields of golden grain into vibrant, fragrant expanses of purple lavender.

Uğur İbrahim Altay, President of the International Association of Agricultural Cities and Mayor of Konya Metropolitan Municipality, said the project aims to increase the income of rural residents while bringing idle agricultural land back into production. He noted that the Güneysınır district was selected as the pilot region for the initiative.

Evaluating the project’s fieldwork and the equipment support provided to farmers, Mayor Altay said, “To date, we have distributed 2.3 million lavender seedlings across 1.3 million square meters of land with a 75 percent grant. We have made a significant contribution to our producers through lavender harvesting machines, seedling planting equipment, and our distillation center. Another important step toward increasing the added value of lavender farming has been the production of lavender honey. To support this effort, we launched the branding process for Güneysınır Lavender Honey by providing beehive grants. According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), Konya now accounts for approximately 6 percent of Türkiye’s lavender production, ranking fifth nationwide. We will always stand by our producers who work hard, continue producing, and contribute to our country.”

Farmer Ömer Ali Atasoy, who began cultivating lavender on a 10,000-square-meter plot in Güneysınır, said he was highly satisfied with the results.

“I initially established a hobby garden using the seedlings provided by our Metropolitan Municipality, but I was extremely pleased with the lavender. We would never have achieved this level of productivity if we had planted barley or wheat. Lavender grows very well in rural areas, does not attract flies, and creates a clean environment with its fragrance and appearance. We produce both lavender oil and lavender honey from our bees. We have had no difficulty selling our products. I would like to thank our Metropolitan Mayor for his support,” he said.

Another producer, 66-year-old Ali Korkmaz, began growing lavender after the Konya Metropolitan Municipality established the distillation facility. He said he has achieved high yields from lavender farming over the past five years.

Korkmaz explained that he converted a 35,000-square-meter field previously used for barley cultivation into a lavender plantation through the municipality’s 75 percent grant program.

“We covered 25 percent of the cost, while our Metropolitan Municipality funded the remaining 75 percent. We obtained exceptionally high-quality lavender oil and have begun producing beneficial products from it. In addition to pure lavender oil, we manufacture hand, foot, and body lotions, as well as insect- and mosquito-repellent body sprays. We hope to achieve even greater success in the future. This year, I aim to produce at least 20 tons of lavender hydrosol and no less than 300 liters of pure lavender oil during the harvest. I sincerely thank our Metropolitan Mayor for his continued support,” he said.

The Konya Metropolitan Municipality has supplied lavender seedlings to producers across many parts of the province, particularly in Güneysınır. To ensure the long-term sustainability of the project, a modern distillation facility established in Güneysınır in 2020 has evolved into a strategic center serving not only Konya and its districts but the entire Central Anatolia Region.

Essential oils are extracted at the facility from medicinal and aromatic plants—including lavender, thyme, and sage—brought from neighboring provinces such as Ankara, Aksaray, and Karaman, creating additional economic value. The high-quality oils processed at the facility are used as raw materials in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food, and cleaning industries.

To create new sources of income for producers, the Konya Metropolitan Municipality also manufactures a range of value-added products under the LAVONYA brand, including lavender soap, cologne, cream, essential oil, exfoliating mitts, and car air fresheners.