Erzurum farmer creates organic toys from surplus pumpkins

In the Söğütlü neighborhood of the Aziziye district in Erzurum, farmer Murat Aydın has begun transforming surplus or unsellable pumpkins into organic toys for children.

To create toy cars, Aydın hollows out the pumpkins and uses tree branches to attach wheels made from sliced pumpkin pieces. For dolls, he carves facial features into the pumpkins, using corn silk for hair and wooden branches for arms and legs.

Aydın noted that while the children already own various toys, they show a particular preference for these handmade organic creations. This method allows him to repurpose agricultural products that might otherwise go to waste.