Salep, which has been increasingly produced in Trabzon as an alternative to hazelnuts and tea, is sold for 1,500 TL per kilo. Salep, which can be produced from coastal areas to high altitudes, is on its way to becoming the region's new source of income. Salep has become an alternative product for producers who make a living from hazelnuts and tea in the Eastern Black Sea Region. Salep production, which has been increasing in recent years, has yielded positive results in Trabzon. Salep, which can be produced from coastal areas to high altitude hills, has made producers happy as an additional source of income with its high yield and price. Salep, which can be produced in a certified manner with the permission given by the state in Turkey, has reached 45 producers in the city. In Trabzon, where salep production, which is among the medicinal and aromatic plants, is increasing day by day, salep production is carried out by a private company on a 15-acre farm certified by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. İlyas Altun, who is a salep consultant in Trabzon, said that the salep story that started in Georgia extended to Trabzon. Altun said, “Salep planting business originates from Georgia. It came to us there. Everything is free there. We first started by uprooting from the mountains. Our story began when we started small-scale production.” Noting that the soil structure is very important to start salep production, Altun said, “We focus on this first. If the soil is heavy, we try to soften it. We want everyone who has the means to start and produce this, even if it is 10 kilograms. It is a product that lives in the soil and produces itself. Our region is very suitable for this. We are trying this in all regions with 45 producers in Trabzon. Right now, salep production is even in our coastal areas. They look at salep as just a flower. But there is gold in its root. Today, it is 1,500 liras. You plant it in a square meter of land and get 3-4 thousand liras. If you have a garden of 100 square meters, it is equal to 20 acres of hazelnut groves. One person can do it very easily. It is such a profitable business.” Underlining that all producers should learn salep production, Altun said, “We prefer the sandy soil we call potato soil. The yield is much better in a sandy soft soil. Of course, by providing supplements. Let them do this even if it is just for a try. We and Moria Food give each producer a 10-year purchase guarantee for the product we give. If you have no problems to sell, if you have land to plant, if you do not want to earn money and do not want to be a porter, you will plant salep. Everyone drinks salep, it is indispensable for ice cream, and it is used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. Its areas of use are many. According to last year’s figures, we import 1 million tons of it to Turkey. We have produced 237 thousand tons from 2012 to this year. The product we have produced in 12 years. Nobody knows. Nobody knows whether salep grows on trees, whether it grows on or under the soil. We need to learn this.” “You planted 1,500 liras worth of salep today, you will receive 4,500 liras and plant 1,500 of them again” Emphasizing that they will gradually increase salep production, Altun said, “Salep production changes with altitude. Lower altitudes are earlier. It varies by 1 month with higher altitudes. Since the Aegean Region has a hot climate, it is being uprooted right now. Since it is clear and humid for us, and we plant at high altitudes, it is 1 month late. You planted 1,500 liras worth of salep today, you will receive 4,500 liras and plant 1,500 of them again. You will buy it again next year. In other words, it is such a productive and profitable business. You build an area of ​​100 square meters and earn 400 thousand liras. You build 1 acre and earn 4 million. We have currently planted salep on a 15 acre land. We will gradually increase our production. We are expecting state support. We are currently doing it completely with our own labor without any help from anyone,” he said. “Salep is a product that loves humidity” Stating that producers sell salep while it is in the soil, Altun said, “You sell your product while it is in the soil. Because there is a product shortage. Salep is a product that loves humidity. You will not skimp on watering and moisture. It is not like I planted it and left it in dry soil. If it rains that week, there is no need. If it is dry, we have to water every 2-3 days and moisten the soil. Most of our producers bought products for the purpose of production for 2 years. Nobody has sold it yet. A person who bought 100 kilograms and started the business has 400 kilograms of product in his field today. He will uproot those 400 kilograms this year. If we triple this, he will buy over 1 ton. He will plant 400 kilograms again. Today, 1 ton is 1.5 million liras.” #agrotv #agriculture #farmer 🔔 AGRO TV TURKEY Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Wz5Jxm 🔔 AGRO TV TURKEY Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Wz66Ig 🔔 AGRO TV TURKEY Twitter: https://bit.ly/3jkZkrd 🔔 Website: https://www.agrotv.com.tr/ World's Agriculture Screen 🌍 Agro TV