Bornova municipality harvests produce from women‑run urban gardens

Bornova Municipality’s urban garden program (“Kent Bostanları”) operates seven sites in the district, where 786 women cultivate vegetables on free 24‑square‑metre parcels using natural methods. Mayor Ömer Eşki joined the harvest, gathering tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and beans, and said, “Bu pazarda enflasyon yok, çünkü üretim var” (“There is no inflation in this market because there is production”).

The municipality provides seed and training on sustainable farming, climate‑smart practices and water management. Harvested produce is sold at local markets, distributed through student volunteers and given to families in need. Eşki announced the opening of two additional gardens in the Karacaoğlan and Yunus Emre neighborhoods, which will involve about 300 more women. The goal is to expand to roughly 20 gardens, reaching about 3,000 households across Bornova, while promoting healthy food, community solidarity and women’s economic empowerment.