Turkish producers work to preserve heirloom tomato varieties

Agricultural producers in Turkey are working to preserve traditional heirloom tomato varieties through seed conservation and registration efforts.

In the Lice district of Diyarbakır, approximately 600 decares of land are being used to grow Lice tomatoes. These tomatoes are characterized by their thin skin, fleshy structure, and sour taste, nourished by cold spring water from the mountains. An application for geographical indication registration was submitted in 2024. Despite a delayed harvest due to rainfall, yields are expected to reach between 3 and 3.5 tons per decare.

In the Kocaali district of Sakarya, Mehmet Ekşioğlu has spent 20 years working to pass on the 'sour Kocaali tomato' seeds inherited from his family. Ekşioğlu, a TEMA Foundation volunteer, distributes seeds to approximately 3,000 people annually to prevent the variety from disappearing. Kocaali Municipality is currently preparing the application process for the tomato to receive geographical indication registration.