Iğdır agricultural sector sees growth in vegetable and apricot production

Agricultural production in Iğdır is expanding through diverse crop cycles and land reclamation. In the Karakoyunlu district, farmer Yener Aras has transformed over 50 decares of barren land into a productive apricot orchard. After retiring from public service in 2010, Aras increased the number of trees from 100 to 700, focusing on the region's registered ‘şalak’ apricot variety. Supported by Iğdır University and the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, his orchard now yields approximately 60 tons of fruit annually.

Simultaneously, producers in the region are conducting second and third harvests following the wheat season. There has been a notable increase in the production of kale and cauliflower over the last two years. Producers like Cüneyt Açkan report that these crops, which were previously sourced from neighboring provinces, are now being grown locally and distributed directly to retailers to reduce intermediary costs. This diversification is contributing to local employment, with some operations providing daily jobs for approximately 20 workers, including significant participation from women.