30.08.2008
Business
TODAY'S ZAMAN WITH WIRES
‘Green star’ campaign encourages hotels to go green
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has started a campaign to reward environmentally friendly hotels as part of its efforts to improve the quality of service offered.
Taking into consideration issues such as global warming, excessive pollution and the concerns of tourists, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism decided to take action and encourage hotel managers to be more sensitive to the environment. The campaign, with the slogan "Be mindful of the world, your country, your environment and your future," will prioritize hotels that volunteer to participate in the program. Any hotel applying for the "Eco-friendly institution" license, symbolized by a green star, will be required to meet certain measures set by the ministry, including water and energy conservation, cleanliness and 119 other requirements.
This campaign complies with measures determined by the European Union and is therefore expected to be greeted warmly by both local and foreign tourists. Resorts seeking the green star will be required to comply with regulations, including assigning an authorized person to plan and manage environmental protection projects. A special focus will need to be placed on saving energy and water and recycling drain water. Additionally, educating hotel personnel about ecological sensitivity is among the basic measures set by the ministry. Switching to renewable energy sources and harmonizing the hotel/resort buildings with the environment as well as using eco-friendly materials for construction and protecting wildlife around the hotel will give hotels an advantage in the certification process.
http://todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=151655
Aug 30, 2008
Aug 27, 2008
Sinop Nuclear-free City and Life Association, protests against the Turkish state
Rift between environmentalists and state widens
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
ISTANBUL - Turkish Daily News
A press conference showing solidarity between environmental organizations was held yesterday at a time when tension between environmentalists and government has been on the rise. The organizations were offering support for a peaceful protest in the northern town of Sinop organized by the Sinop Nuclear-free City and Life Association, or SINYAD, that was shut down by police on Saturday.
The struggles of this local initiative drew the attentions of both national organizations like Ecological Utopias Association, or Ecotopia, and international ones like European Youth for Action, or EYFA, who held a joint press conference in Istanbul yesterday.
During the press conference, Shannon Stephens of EYFA offered solidarity with SINYAD and all other organizations that “request EYFA's assistance.” She told reporters that nuclear energy was “not a green solution, not a carbon safe solution, and it will not make Turkey energy secure,” adding that Turkey should instead invest in alternative energy.
Stephens objected to the prime minister's recent comments about environmentalists, in which he mocked them and claimed to be more environmentally-conscience, telling reporters, “If we seem like we have nothing else to do, it only shows our commitment to the cause and that we are giving up our free time for it.”
SINYAD's struggle
Environmental organizations from 25 different countries as well as 45 environmental activists acting alone offered support to the SINYAD by organizing a protest in front of The Turkish Atomic Energy Authority, or TAEK, which resulted in 33 people including 30 foreigners being arrested.
Protesting nuclear energy in Sinop was not new, especially not for SINYAD. “SINYAD was established 1.5 years ago and in the 69 to 70 weeks since then, we have held protests against nuclear energy every week at downtown's Uğur Mumcu plaza,” SINYAD director Kadir Demir told the Turkish Daily News.
Last Saturday the organization had hoped to protest in front of the TAEK building, but increased security forced them to unfurl their banners in front of the governor's mansion instead. Outside of the designated protest zones, the protesters soon caught the attention of the police, who snatched their banners and arrested the protesters.
Police hostility against the group is commonplace, said Demir, adding: “Even when we are in officially designated protest areas, we still feel hostility from the security forces. They surround us; they record us. Their attitude is very negative.”
After this weekends protest, all members were fined YTL 125 for “resisting arrest,” a charge Demir refuted, saying: “The penalty does not match the crime. We are charged with resisting the police; we never even had a chance to resist the police. They arrived and, with no warning at all, tore the banners from our hands and took us away.” The protesters have yet to pay the penalty fee, which their lawyers are appealing.
http://turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=113765
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
ISTANBUL - Turkish Daily News
A press conference showing solidarity between environmental organizations was held yesterday at a time when tension between environmentalists and government has been on the rise. The organizations were offering support for a peaceful protest in the northern town of Sinop organized by the Sinop Nuclear-free City and Life Association, or SINYAD, that was shut down by police on Saturday.
The struggles of this local initiative drew the attentions of both national organizations like Ecological Utopias Association, or Ecotopia, and international ones like European Youth for Action, or EYFA, who held a joint press conference in Istanbul yesterday.
During the press conference, Shannon Stephens of EYFA offered solidarity with SINYAD and all other organizations that “request EYFA's assistance.” She told reporters that nuclear energy was “not a green solution, not a carbon safe solution, and it will not make Turkey energy secure,” adding that Turkey should instead invest in alternative energy.
Stephens objected to the prime minister's recent comments about environmentalists, in which he mocked them and claimed to be more environmentally-conscience, telling reporters, “If we seem like we have nothing else to do, it only shows our commitment to the cause and that we are giving up our free time for it.”
SINYAD's struggle
Environmental organizations from 25 different countries as well as 45 environmental activists acting alone offered support to the SINYAD by organizing a protest in front of The Turkish Atomic Energy Authority, or TAEK, which resulted in 33 people including 30 foreigners being arrested.
Protesting nuclear energy in Sinop was not new, especially not for SINYAD. “SINYAD was established 1.5 years ago and in the 69 to 70 weeks since then, we have held protests against nuclear energy every week at downtown's Uğur Mumcu plaza,” SINYAD director Kadir Demir told the Turkish Daily News.
Last Saturday the organization had hoped to protest in front of the TAEK building, but increased security forced them to unfurl their banners in front of the governor's mansion instead. Outside of the designated protest zones, the protesters soon caught the attention of the police, who snatched their banners and arrested the protesters.
Police hostility against the group is commonplace, said Demir, adding: “Even when we are in officially designated protest areas, we still feel hostility from the security forces. They surround us; they record us. Their attitude is very negative.”
After this weekends protest, all members were fined YTL 125 for “resisting arrest,” a charge Demir refuted, saying: “The penalty does not match the crime. We are charged with resisting the police; we never even had a chance to resist the police. They arrived and, with no warning at all, tore the banners from our hands and took us away.” The protesters have yet to pay the penalty fee, which their lawyers are appealing.
http://turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=113765
Aug 26, 2008
Going Green: AKP and the Environment
Is environmentalism in the national program?
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
FERAİ TINÇ
Hürriyet
The Justice and Development Party, or AKP, government has prepared the draft of the 3rd national program on the European Union bid, put EU reforms back on the agenda again. The understanding of “If there hadn't been Brussels, we could've changed its name and proceed with the reforms program” means nothing and that has been realized finally. So I am pleased to hear that the government included EU-related reforms in its program.But somehow I cannot answer by whom these reforms will be done.Is it possible to put these reforms into practice in the absence of a strong political will? No, it's not. As we see new examples of this unwillingness every day, it is not possible at all.For instance Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan judges environmentalists, both inside and outside. He asserts that environmentalists don't do anything important and describes civil society activities on the subject matter as what dawdlers do. If so, how will he realize reforms in environmental issues so as to have accord with the EU procedures?
Plus, environment is one of the most difficult issues of the negotiation process. I scanned through the national program once again. Among the laws that should be passed in Parliament in a year, there are Nature and Conservation of Biological Diversities Law, Bio-security Law, Framework Agency Law and Framework Water Law.
In short, everything a person does for leisure time is included in this program.
But that's not all.
Adjustment to international afreements
It was also envisaged in the national program that Turkey, within a year, should adopt the bills to keep it in line with international agreements, such as The Bonn Convention, Goteborg, Rotterdam and Aarhus Convention.
The Aarhus Convention points out an obligation about the point where Mr. Prime Minister gets mad at environmentalists protesting the nuclear energy plant.
The agreement regulates rights and obligations on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters.
And there is this secondary regulation, Environmental Evaluation Regulation, proposed for 2007 but has not been adopted.
Among the objectives are evaluation of plans and programs that needs approval by a public authority regarding environmental issues and public participation into this process.
How will this be done? How will Mr. Prime Minister lashing out at environmentalists yesterday do these reforms tomorrow? What kind of political will power will he show for the practice of such reforms?
How to balance the global demands for basic needs
A government can include setting up a nuclear energy plant in its program, but should also should convince “nay” sayers and lay bare convincing justifications for that. As presenting nuclear energy as an inevitable option a government should be aware of clean energy subject and should at least be able to tell people who have respect for the environment and natural sources that adequate efforts are exerted.
The world is taking a new direction. Environment as the most distinctive element in this course gains more importance every day.
The upcoming term will determine the world politics and how the global demand for basic needs, food; water and energy sources will be met.
Protection of environment and getting the most of it in the fame of economic efficiency will take more time of humans.People expecting nothing from the future will perhaps never understand this.
http://turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=113614
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
FERAİ TINÇ
Hürriyet
The Justice and Development Party, or AKP, government has prepared the draft of the 3rd national program on the European Union bid, put EU reforms back on the agenda again. The understanding of “If there hadn't been Brussels, we could've changed its name and proceed with the reforms program” means nothing and that has been realized finally. So I am pleased to hear that the government included EU-related reforms in its program.But somehow I cannot answer by whom these reforms will be done.Is it possible to put these reforms into practice in the absence of a strong political will? No, it's not. As we see new examples of this unwillingness every day, it is not possible at all.For instance Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan judges environmentalists, both inside and outside. He asserts that environmentalists don't do anything important and describes civil society activities on the subject matter as what dawdlers do. If so, how will he realize reforms in environmental issues so as to have accord with the EU procedures?
Plus, environment is one of the most difficult issues of the negotiation process. I scanned through the national program once again. Among the laws that should be passed in Parliament in a year, there are Nature and Conservation of Biological Diversities Law, Bio-security Law, Framework Agency Law and Framework Water Law.
In short, everything a person does for leisure time is included in this program.
But that's not all.
Adjustment to international afreements
It was also envisaged in the national program that Turkey, within a year, should adopt the bills to keep it in line with international agreements, such as The Bonn Convention, Goteborg, Rotterdam and Aarhus Convention.
The Aarhus Convention points out an obligation about the point where Mr. Prime Minister gets mad at environmentalists protesting the nuclear energy plant.
The agreement regulates rights and obligations on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters.
And there is this secondary regulation, Environmental Evaluation Regulation, proposed for 2007 but has not been adopted.
Among the objectives are evaluation of plans and programs that needs approval by a public authority regarding environmental issues and public participation into this process.
How will this be done? How will Mr. Prime Minister lashing out at environmentalists yesterday do these reforms tomorrow? What kind of political will power will he show for the practice of such reforms?
How to balance the global demands for basic needs
A government can include setting up a nuclear energy plant in its program, but should also should convince “nay” sayers and lay bare convincing justifications for that. As presenting nuclear energy as an inevitable option a government should be aware of clean energy subject and should at least be able to tell people who have respect for the environment and natural sources that adequate efforts are exerted.
The world is taking a new direction. Environment as the most distinctive element in this course gains more importance every day.
The upcoming term will determine the world politics and how the global demand for basic needs, food; water and energy sources will be met.
Protection of environment and getting the most of it in the fame of economic efficiency will take more time of humans.People expecting nothing from the future will perhaps never understand this.
http://turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=113614
Turkey fails in environmental protection
Turkey fails in environmental protection
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
ANKARA - Turkish Daily News
Chamber of Environmental Engineers, or ÇMO, and Forestry Ministry could not agree on Turkey's environmental sensitivity. Following Forestry Minister Veysel Eroğlu's response to Republican People's Party,or CHP, deputy Fevzi Topuz's motion to censure, ÇMO president Yılmaz Kilim chided the ministry speaking to daily Milliyet on Sunday. Kilim, blamed the ministry for using outdated data.
While most waste treatment plant projects are still under construction, the ministry claimed that the majority of waste is disposed of properly by citing a Turkish Statistical Institute's, or TÜİK, 2004 waste report.
“Turkey produces more than 20 million tons of waste in a year,” said Eroğlu. “Approximately 1.2 million tons of the waste is hazardous. Recycled waste constitutes 8 percent of the total amount. While 47 percent are disposed, 45 percent are re-used.”
However, ÇMO president Kilim rejected Eroğlu's statement and said they were still using data from 2004. According to TÜİK's July 2006 bulletin, only 70,041 tons of hazardous waste is disposed of in accordance with regulations.
“In this case, disposal ways of 456,359 tons of waste are unknown,” Kilim said. He also recalled that licensed facilities in Turkey may only store and dispose 237,334 tons of hazardous waste.
Another controversial subject on which the Ministry and ÇMO clashed was efficiency of municipalities offering waste treatment facilities. While Eroğlu said many new treatment plants have been established since 2004, Kilim said 80 percent of municipalities do not offer waste water treatment services.
Although Eroğlu said there were currently 194 sewage treatment and 32 solid waste treatment plants, Kilim insisted that 1693 municipalities without treatment systems still commit an offence against Turkish Penal Code, or TCK, and Environmental Law.
20 million citizens without sewage system
While arguments on arsenic water between İzmir and Ankara Municipalities have just calmed down, Eroğlu's statement that the healthy water rate in Turkey is above world average sparked reaction from ÇMO as well.
The ministry stated that 1910 municipalities had a drinking water network in 2004.
“The number means 93 percent of the population in municipal regions have access to drinking water,” Eroğlu said. However, ÇMO claimed the “access to healthy water” criteria does not always mean having a drinking and potable water network.
Kilim also highlighted the State Planning Organization's, or DTP, 2008 figures. The report displayed that 3,060 of 74,415 villages, districts and fields have no access to healthy drinking water.
Meanwhile, the lack of a sewage system in many municipal regions became the only common point on which the ministry and ÇMO agreed.
“People benefiting from sewage systems constitute 72 percent of Turkey's population,” Eroğlu said. This means that 20 million people still live without a sewage system.
http://turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=113657
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
ANKARA - Turkish Daily News
Chamber of Environmental Engineers, or ÇMO, and Forestry Ministry could not agree on Turkey's environmental sensitivity. Following Forestry Minister Veysel Eroğlu's response to Republican People's Party,or CHP, deputy Fevzi Topuz's motion to censure, ÇMO president Yılmaz Kilim chided the ministry speaking to daily Milliyet on Sunday. Kilim, blamed the ministry for using outdated data.
While most waste treatment plant projects are still under construction, the ministry claimed that the majority of waste is disposed of properly by citing a Turkish Statistical Institute's, or TÜİK, 2004 waste report.
“Turkey produces more than 20 million tons of waste in a year,” said Eroğlu. “Approximately 1.2 million tons of the waste is hazardous. Recycled waste constitutes 8 percent of the total amount. While 47 percent are disposed, 45 percent are re-used.”
However, ÇMO president Kilim rejected Eroğlu's statement and said they were still using data from 2004. According to TÜİK's July 2006 bulletin, only 70,041 tons of hazardous waste is disposed of in accordance with regulations.
“In this case, disposal ways of 456,359 tons of waste are unknown,” Kilim said. He also recalled that licensed facilities in Turkey may only store and dispose 237,334 tons of hazardous waste.
Another controversial subject on which the Ministry and ÇMO clashed was efficiency of municipalities offering waste treatment facilities. While Eroğlu said many new treatment plants have been established since 2004, Kilim said 80 percent of municipalities do not offer waste water treatment services.
Although Eroğlu said there were currently 194 sewage treatment and 32 solid waste treatment plants, Kilim insisted that 1693 municipalities without treatment systems still commit an offence against Turkish Penal Code, or TCK, and Environmental Law.
20 million citizens without sewage system
While arguments on arsenic water between İzmir and Ankara Municipalities have just calmed down, Eroğlu's statement that the healthy water rate in Turkey is above world average sparked reaction from ÇMO as well.
The ministry stated that 1910 municipalities had a drinking water network in 2004.
“The number means 93 percent of the population in municipal regions have access to drinking water,” Eroğlu said. However, ÇMO claimed the “access to healthy water” criteria does not always mean having a drinking and potable water network.
Kilim also highlighted the State Planning Organization's, or DTP, 2008 figures. The report displayed that 3,060 of 74,415 villages, districts and fields have no access to healthy drinking water.
Meanwhile, the lack of a sewage system in many municipal regions became the only common point on which the ministry and ÇMO agreed.
“People benefiting from sewage systems constitute 72 percent of Turkey's population,” Eroğlu said. This means that 20 million people still live without a sewage system.
http://turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=113657
Erdogan vs. Environmentalists: dams and nuclear plants
Race on to prove just who is 'greenest' Turk
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
ISTANBUL – TDN with wire dispatches
In the latest clash between environmentalists and the government, the prime minister describes himself as the real environmentalist and defends the policy to build dams and nuclear plants in order to address the country’s growing energy needs
Turkey's efforts to expand its energy production to keep up with its growing economy has forced it to utilize every available resource, including building nuclear, hydro and thermal plants. Each additional project has made ever-clearer battle lines between locals and activists on the one side and the government and an outspoken prime minister on the other.
One such sharp line is yesterday's announcement of the finalists for building Turkey's first nuclear power plants. In its determination to have the plants built, the government rejected requests for an extension to the deadline, saying the companies should work harder to meet the date.
The environmental activists entered the war when 33 activists from 20 countries were detained and then released for their protests against plans to build one of the nuclear power plant in the Black Sea province of Sinop in the latest incident reported by the Hürriyet daily.
Meanwhile, the government's drive to build a series of hydroelectric dams on every available river in the Black Sea region has set it against locals who argue that the dams will disrupt the natural cycle of life and their livelihood, with jobs created seldom addressing the changes introduced to the area.
For this, Turkey is waging an international public relations battle with its plans to submerge the town of Hasankeyf in southeast Turkey once the Ilısu Dam is complete, the government's argument is that the loss is acceptable once one considers the benefits to the region and the economy.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan showed where he stands on the issues in a speech he made in the Black Sea province of Rize over the weekend by describing environmentalists as “strayaways” who did not do anything to protect nature.
Erdoğan, who was also furious over the criticisms directed at the government by environmentalists and the media for the fish farms that polluted some of the most beautiful beaches in the Aegean province of Muğla, used the opportunity to slam environmentalists as a whole.
The prime minister said the government was “doing something, unlike the environmentalists,” reported the Doğan news agency.
He said: “Where were you until now? Why were you silent? The government is trying to do something now. Why didn't you do anything when the fish farms were first built. There is this tendency to hit at the government and Tayyip Erdoğan no matter what. You don't have the right.”
He said he was an environmentalist, as was his government. “Just ask those who prance around saying ‘I am an environmentalist.' What have they done for the world or the environment? Who are they? They are just people who try to do something with their spare time.”
The government had taken measures on the environment that no other had dared, said the prime minister. “We have signed the Kyoto protocol. Did they even stop to say thank you.”
He also criticized those who objected to the building of hydroelectric dams in the region.
He said there may be mistakes committed, which would be speedily corrected. “What will you [environmentalists] do when there is no electricity tomorrow?”
He also said the anti-nuclear activists arrested in Sinop had the address wrong. “The first nuclear plant will be built in Akkuyu in the Mersin province on the Mediterranean coast,” he said.
http://turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=113645
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
ISTANBUL – TDN with wire dispatches
In the latest clash between environmentalists and the government, the prime minister describes himself as the real environmentalist and defends the policy to build dams and nuclear plants in order to address the country’s growing energy needs
Turkey's efforts to expand its energy production to keep up with its growing economy has forced it to utilize every available resource, including building nuclear, hydro and thermal plants. Each additional project has made ever-clearer battle lines between locals and activists on the one side and the government and an outspoken prime minister on the other.
One such sharp line is yesterday's announcement of the finalists for building Turkey's first nuclear power plants. In its determination to have the plants built, the government rejected requests for an extension to the deadline, saying the companies should work harder to meet the date.
The environmental activists entered the war when 33 activists from 20 countries were detained and then released for their protests against plans to build one of the nuclear power plant in the Black Sea province of Sinop in the latest incident reported by the Hürriyet daily.
Meanwhile, the government's drive to build a series of hydroelectric dams on every available river in the Black Sea region has set it against locals who argue that the dams will disrupt the natural cycle of life and their livelihood, with jobs created seldom addressing the changes introduced to the area.
For this, Turkey is waging an international public relations battle with its plans to submerge the town of Hasankeyf in southeast Turkey once the Ilısu Dam is complete, the government's argument is that the loss is acceptable once one considers the benefits to the region and the economy.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan showed where he stands on the issues in a speech he made in the Black Sea province of Rize over the weekend by describing environmentalists as “strayaways” who did not do anything to protect nature.
Erdoğan, who was also furious over the criticisms directed at the government by environmentalists and the media for the fish farms that polluted some of the most beautiful beaches in the Aegean province of Muğla, used the opportunity to slam environmentalists as a whole.
The prime minister said the government was “doing something, unlike the environmentalists,” reported the Doğan news agency.
He said: “Where were you until now? Why were you silent? The government is trying to do something now. Why didn't you do anything when the fish farms were first built. There is this tendency to hit at the government and Tayyip Erdoğan no matter what. You don't have the right.”
He said he was an environmentalist, as was his government. “Just ask those who prance around saying ‘I am an environmentalist.' What have they done for the world or the environment? Who are they? They are just people who try to do something with their spare time.”
The government had taken measures on the environment that no other had dared, said the prime minister. “We have signed the Kyoto protocol. Did they even stop to say thank you.”
He also criticized those who objected to the building of hydroelectric dams in the region.
He said there may be mistakes committed, which would be speedily corrected. “What will you [environmentalists] do when there is no electricity tomorrow?”
He also said the anti-nuclear activists arrested in Sinop had the address wrong. “The first nuclear plant will be built in Akkuyu in the Mersin province on the Mediterranean coast,” he said.
http://turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=113645
Aug 18, 2008
organic watermelon bound for europe!
Turkey's first organic watermelon is on its way to Europe
Monday, August 18, 2008
SAMSUN - Referans
Ay-Pi Group, which entered organic farming with egg production in the northern province of Samsun, is now ready to ship organic watermelons to European markets. Initial plans call for Ay-Pi to export one thousand tons of watermelon within a year. Ay-Pi Group, which holds a 60 percent share in Turkish organic egg production in the northern province of Samsun, has now begun growing organic watermelons. The company plans to export the watermelons to Germany, Ahmet Aydın, Ay-Pi Group Chairman said, adding that the company's goal is to triple watermelon exports from this year's one thousand tons.
Ay-Pi the leader in organic egg Yeşil Küre, an Ay-Pi Group subsidiary, is responsible for organic farming and Samsun's Bafra town enjoys significant advantages in organic farming, said Aydın, an ex-deputy, who invested $15 million in organic agriculture in the region.Aydın noted that organic farming in Bafra is brand new. “Bafra has a great potential for organic farming, but we do not have the adequate means to exploit it. We are trying to find ways to improve Bafra so its future will be bright. We are trying to make a contribution to have a better country,” he continued. “Today, products without additives can be sold easily and at higher prices, both in foreign and domestic markets. Now, we have to do our job by changing our perspective. With good planning, Bafra Plain can contribute a lot to the nation's economy.” Ay-Pi Group has a 60 percent share in organic egg production and is the leader in the market with production of five million organic eggs per year, said Aydın. This production can increase in line with the demand, he said, adding the firm also plans to soon launch organic chicken meat production. Aydın noted that the firm seeks to vary the production of organic products. “Our watermelon production does not involve any additives, and is entirely organic. Watermelons will be exported to Germany,” he said. “Turkey's first organic watermelons are on their way to Europe. We are expecting 250,000 euros from the export of organic watermelons.” The firm's goal for 2009 is to produce 5,000 tons of organic watermelons and deliver three thousand tons to the foreign market. “If produced conscientiously, we can take a share from European and Russian markets,” said Aydın.
http://turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=112800
Monday, August 18, 2008
SAMSUN - Referans
Ay-Pi Group, which entered organic farming with egg production in the northern province of Samsun, is now ready to ship organic watermelons to European markets. Initial plans call for Ay-Pi to export one thousand tons of watermelon within a year. Ay-Pi Group, which holds a 60 percent share in Turkish organic egg production in the northern province of Samsun, has now begun growing organic watermelons. The company plans to export the watermelons to Germany, Ahmet Aydın, Ay-Pi Group Chairman said, adding that the company's goal is to triple watermelon exports from this year's one thousand tons.
Ay-Pi the leader in organic egg Yeşil Küre, an Ay-Pi Group subsidiary, is responsible for organic farming and Samsun's Bafra town enjoys significant advantages in organic farming, said Aydın, an ex-deputy, who invested $15 million in organic agriculture in the region.Aydın noted that organic farming in Bafra is brand new. “Bafra has a great potential for organic farming, but we do not have the adequate means to exploit it. We are trying to find ways to improve Bafra so its future will be bright. We are trying to make a contribution to have a better country,” he continued. “Today, products without additives can be sold easily and at higher prices, both in foreign and domestic markets. Now, we have to do our job by changing our perspective. With good planning, Bafra Plain can contribute a lot to the nation's economy.” Ay-Pi Group has a 60 percent share in organic egg production and is the leader in the market with production of five million organic eggs per year, said Aydın. This production can increase in line with the demand, he said, adding the firm also plans to soon launch organic chicken meat production. Aydın noted that the firm seeks to vary the production of organic products. “Our watermelon production does not involve any additives, and is entirely organic. Watermelons will be exported to Germany,” he said. “Turkey's first organic watermelons are on their way to Europe. We are expecting 250,000 euros from the export of organic watermelons.” The firm's goal for 2009 is to produce 5,000 tons of organic watermelons and deliver three thousand tons to the foreign market. “If produced conscientiously, we can take a share from European and Russian markets,” said Aydın.
http://turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=112800
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