Selçuklu Harvests First Barley Crop from Idle Land

Selçuklu Municipality has completed the first barley harvest under a pilot project launched in the Tömek neighborhood to bring unused land back into agricultural production.

The municipality has achieved the first results of its agricultural production initiative, introduced with the vision of ensuring that “no arable land remains unused.” As part of the project, barley was planted on previously idle municipal land in the Tömek neighborhood and harvested for the first time. The initiative aims to bring unused public land into production, establish a sustainable farming model that can serve as an example for local farmers, raise awareness about the efficient use of water resources, and contribute to the production of animal feed raw materials in the region. Following the project’s positive initial results, the municipality plans to continue the initiative in the coming years by bringing more arid land into cultivation and increasing agricultural productivity.

Special Effort to Improve Agricultural Productivity

Before the project began, soil analyses and field inspections revealed that the land had a high lime content and required improvement to increase agricultural productivity. In response, Selçuklu Municipality’s Directorate of Rural Services carried out soil rehabilitation work by applying organic fertilizer to one section of the field, while compost produced by the Directorate of Climate Change and Zero Waste was spread over another section to improve soil quality.

Barley was selected because it is one of the district’s most widely cultivated crops, matures early, is resistant to salinity, and requires relatively little water. The soil improvement efforts also aim to enhance the productivity of agricultural land and demonstrate the benefits of compost use in farming.

Mayor Ahmet Pekyatırmacı said the municipality was pleased to complete the first harvest under the agricultural production project launched with the vision of ensuring that no arable land remains unused.

“By making the best use of our land and local resources, we are not only adding value to our local economy but also building a strong vision for future agricultural production. We are determined to expand a model of local development that values the land, encourages production, and strengthens self-sufficiency in Selçuklu. May this first harvest, crowned by the richness of our soil, bring prosperity to Selçuklu and our city,” he said.