Diyarbakır watermelon producers prepare for annual festival

In Diyarbakır, Turkey, farmers are preparing for the annual watermelon festival. Following the harvest in early September, 115 watermelons grown in the sandy soils along the Dicle River have been collected and are being stored in cold storage for upcoming competitions. Producers use traditional 'surme' heirloom seeds and a meticulous cultivation process that begins in March.

Farmer Adil Aydın, who has worked to promote the fruit since 1975, noted that while production decreased last year due to heat, this year saw an increase in delivered samples due to better rainfall. He expressed concerns regarding a lack of support from NGOs and municipalities to preserve this regional symbol.

Separately, Professor Nesrin Yıldız has addressed physiological issues affecting watermelon quality in the Pasinler Plain. She identified 'hollow heart' (koflaşma), a condition where the internal tissue becomes empty or fibrous. While this does not necessarily reduce sugar content, it significantly lowers market value and shelf life. Yıldız emphasized that scientific methods, such as quantitative soil and leaf analysis, are necessary to combat issues caused by irregular irrigation and extreme temperature fluctuations.