Konya Supports Farmers with Drought-Resistant Lentil Project

Konya Metropolitan Municipality continues to support local farmers to promote rural development and boost agricultural production.

Konya Metropolitan Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay stated that they continue to create added value for both Konya and the national economy by implementing pioneering and exemplary projects in agriculture.

Through the project carried out by Konya Metropolitan Municipality, the production of drought-resistant lentils will ensure the efficient use of water resources. Bringing fallow lands into production will enhance the effective use of agricultural areas. The initiative also aims to achieve higher yields and better-quality crops through the use of certified seeds.

Konya Metropolitan Municipality has begun distributing 43,050 kilograms of red lentils and 6,000 kilograms of green lentils, selected from certified and high-yield varieties, to previously registered farmers as part of its grant support program. In this way, a total of 3,270 decares of agricultural land—2,870 decares for red lentils and 400 decares for green lentils—has been brought into production in Konya.

This project, an important step toward promoting climate-friendly and sustainable agricultural practices, contributes to both environmental sustainability and agricultural diversity by increasing the share of legumes in production.

The lentil plant naturally enriches the soil’s nitrogen content by fixing nitrogen from the air through rhizobium bacteria found in its roots. This feature helps preserve the soil’s natural balance while reducing the need for fertilizers in subsequent planting seasons.

The project aims to lower farmers’ production costs while increasing their income. By promoting the use of domestic and certified seeds, dependency on foreign sources will be reduced, and supporting women and young producers will further contribute to rural development.