Kayseri, Turkey Begins Harvest of Geographical‑Indication Yamula Eggplant

The first harvest of the GI‑protected Yamula eggplant has started in Kayseri’s Kocasinan district, specifically in the villages of Yemliha, Ebiç and Mahzemin along the Kızılırmak River. The eggplant, noted for its purple‑white striped, seedless fruit and distinctive flavor, is a key source of income for local families and is processed into about 50 different foods such as dried slices, jams and pickles.

Veteran farmer Ahmet Bulut, who has cultivated the crop for 45 years, said the 2026 harvest shows excellent quality but a reduced yield because of a root‑affecting fungal disease. He highlighted the labor‑intensive planting, weed control and daily‑wage harvesting, and urged agricultural engineers to develop a solution to the disease that threatens the crop’s productivity.