Mersin Black Fig harvest begins following municipal support

The harvest of Mersin Black Figs has begun in the Tarsus region, following successful agricultural support initiatives by the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality. Through the ‘Fig Sapling Distribution Project,’ the municipality has provided thousands of saplings to local producers since 2020 to increase agricultural diversity and utilize arid lands.

Due to high quality and demand, much of the harvest is destined for export, providing significant income for local farmers. To protect the local product and enhance its market value, the municipality has applied to the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office for a geographical indication registration for the Mersin Black Fig.

In a separate technological development supported by the municipality, high school students in Tarsus have developed ‘MERSULA,’ an AI-powered voice assistant designed to assist visually impaired individuals. The project includes a hat prototype that provides audio warnings about obstacles and a mobile application that uses a camera to identify surroundings and locate lost items.