Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç SoyerThe first honey milking was carried out in 60 beehives placed in Tahtalı Dam Basin by the Metropolitan Municipality within the framework of the vision of "Another Agriculture is Possible". The Metropolitan Municipality will continue its efforts to increase the yield of honey from bees fed with aromatic plants in the natural environment of the region.
Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç SoyerIn line with the vision of "Another Agriculture is Possible", another project that promotes income-generating agricultural production in rural areas has been implemented. Under the leadership of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, in cooperation with the Environment and Bee Protection Association (ÇARIK) and Aegean Agricultural Research Institute, local honey was obtained in the Honey Pasture in the Tahtalı Dam Basin, which provides drinking water to İzmir, within the scope of the "Tahtalı Basin Agroecological Beekeeping Project". İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Secretary General Ertuğrul Tugay, İZSU General Manager Aysel Özkan and İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Agricultural Services Department Head Şevket Meriç participated in the first honey milking in 5 beehives placed at 60 different points of the basin.
Aromatic plants were planted in the area.
İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Secretary General Ertuğrul Tugay reminded that Tahtalı Dam Basin is an absolute protection area. Stating that they are trying to create a closed basin in terms of beekeeping in İzmir, Ertuğrul Tugay said, “Our aim is to do stationary beekeeping, not mobile beekeeping. We have been working here for two years. We planted aromatic plants in the area where the bees can feed. We also put the hives and we will investigate the quality and yield of the honey we will obtain from these hives. Our aim is to ensure that the bees are fed here for 12 years.” Tugay said, “The quality of honey obtained in this basin will be high. At the end of this work, we will create an opportunity for small-scale beekeepers in the region to put their hives in the basin. Thus, we will create alternative income generating production areas for producers.” Stating that the work will continue for one more year and that the bee accommodation areas will be determined in the Tahtalı Basin according to the data to be obtained later, Tugay added that they will establish a cooperative with the producers who are trained and supported by the bee hive by the Metropolitan Municipality in the next stage. The honey to be obtained through this cooperative will be branded and delivered to the consumer.
“Tahtalı Basin will be the leader in this project”
İZSU General Manager Aysel Özkan stated that Tahtalı Dam Basin is a very special region and said, “Limited activities are carried out in water basins. Only organic farming and beekeeping can be done here. Works that do not harm nature and water can be done. Watersheds are very special areas. "Well protected areas," he said. Özkan also said that with this project, an alternative is offered to those engaged in agricultural production, “They can obtain very special honey by placing beehives in our basin, under our control. This honey can also be a brand in Turkey. Because this is a very special, very clean basin. It can be taken and consumed very safely. Its quality and reliability will be very high. I think that all water basins in Turkey can be used for this purpose. Tahtalı Basin will be the leader in this project”.
The honey obtained will be offered to the residents of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Zübeyde Hanım Nursing Home in the first place. It will also be used in the soup kitchen.
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