Lavender farmers in Kırıkkale face production halt due to market issues

Mehmet and Zübeyde Bozkurt, a couple who have cultivated lavender in the Bahşılı district of Kırıkkale for seven years, are facing the possibility of abandoning their production due to a lack of buyers and processing facilities.

Despite training in medicinal and aromatic plants and opening their garden to tourism, the couple struggles with rising labor costs and the absence of local lavender oil extraction plants. They previously utilized facilities in Ankara and Kaman, Kırşehir, but those operations have since closed. The couple stated they have repeatedly applied to the Kırıkkale Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry for assistance but have not received the necessary support. As a last resort, they are considering uprooting the lavender plants to avoid further financial loss.