Expansion of Peanut Cultivation Area in Adana Anticipates 30% Increase in Yield
In the fertile lands of Çukurova, one of the most preferred products, peanut, has entered the harvest season. The Director of the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, Mehmet Nuri Kökçüoğlu, announced that peanuts rank third in the world for edible oil production.
Kökçüoğlu emphasized the importance of peanuts not only as food for humans in the form of snacks and oil but also for their byproducts being used as animal feed and their role in enriching soil with nitrogen, which is crucial for sustainable agriculture. He reported that last year, Turkey produced 185,137 tons of peanuts, with 90,000 tons coming from Adana.
He mentioned that last year, peanut cultivation in Adana took place on an area of 210,000 decares, and this year they expect the planting area to increase to 275,000 decares and the yield to reach 120,000 tons. Kökçüoğlu stated, “Peanut production in Adana increased last year due to high prices of peanuts. This year, we foresee an approximate increase of 30% in both production and yield.”
Crops Ripening Early
The muhtar of the Tabaklar Neighborhood in the Karataş district, Osman Çamlı, reported that peanuts are produced by 250 households in the district, covering more than 20,000 decares of land. He emphasized that the good prices for last year’s crops have led to an increase in planting areas this year.
Mustafa Şimşek, who grows peanuts on 400 decares, indicated that last year’s prices have led to a more widespread production of peanuts. He explained, “Since peanuts grow in sandy soil in our region, they mature about a month earlier than usual. Therefore, we can harvest a month earlier, which allows us to gain small profits on our prices.“
John Peterson graduated with a degree in Agricultural Sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. His specialization is in sustainable crop production and soil health management. John is passionate about integrating modern technology with traditional farming methods to enhance productivity while preserving the environment. He currently works as a consultant, helping farmers adopt sustainable practices.