Diyarbakir Metropolitan Municipality is implementing an important project aimed at increasing women’s employment in the city. Work has officially begun on the medicinal and aromatic plant garden where 23 different types of plants will be grown. This special garden, which was designed in collaboration with the Departments of Parks and Gardens, Climate Change and Zero Waste, Rural Services and Women and Family Services, will also serve as an education and production center.
Infrastructure Works Are Progressing Rapidly
The first stage of the medical and aromatic plant garden, which will be built on a total area of 24 square meters, continues with infrastructure arrangements. In the area where ground leveling and soil reinforcement are ongoing, it is planned to start superstructure works in a short time.
Nothing is missing in the garden: Comprehensive areas from production to education will be created
After the completion of the infrastructure works in this special area of 24 square meters, many different functional areas will be created within the scope of the superstructure works. These areas will include special facilities for drying, storing and processing plants, classrooms where theoretical and practical training will be given, raised garden areas where plants can be examined more easily, units where the produced products will be sold, greenhouses for plant cultivation, plant study areas, beds for the education and cultivation of special plant species, general plant cultivation areas, traditional vegetable garden, compost and special soil areas. In this way, the garden will become a comprehensive education and application center, beyond being just a production area.
23 Different Types of Plants Will Be Produced: Nature's Healing Will Grow in Diyarbakır
For the project that was previously planned to be implemented on the Silvan road, it was decided to change the location and establish the garden in a more central location, in the Parks and Gardens Department campus. In this special garden, a total of 23 different types of plants will be produced, primarily Diyarbakır's endemic plants, as well as generally mint and thyme species, chamomile, purple basil, mallow, sage, saffron, nettle, lemon balm, calendula (calendula), St. John's wort, echinacea, rosemary, laurel, linden, rosehip and various greens (dill, parsley, arugula, purslane etc.). All processes such as collecting, drying, extracting essential oils and packaging of these valuable plants grown in the garden will be carried out in this newly created special area.
Natural Support for Women's Employment
The medicinal and aromatic plant garden project to be created will make a significant contribution to women's employment in the city of Diyarbakır. Women will actively participate in every stage of the plant planting, production, collection, drying and transformation of the obtained products into different value-added products (such as natural cosmetic products). In this way, women will both gain economic income and develop their knowledge and skills in the production of natural products. The Metropolitan Municipality will also provide various practical trainings to the women who will take part in the project on plant planting, collection, drying and transformation of products into high value-added products.
Every Segment of Society Will Benefit from Training
Diyarbakir Metropolitan Municipality will provide general training on medicinal and aromatic plants to all segments of society, from children to the disabled, from the elderly to women, in this new landscape area that will be created based on the deep relationship between soil and humans from history to the present. These trainings aim to raise awareness on the benefits, areas of use and cultivation methods of natural plants. In addition, the Metropolitan Municipality will ensure the propagation of plants by purchasing seeds and cuttings in greenhouses that it will build within the area, which will contribute to the sustainability of the project.
Raised Garden for the Disabled: Everyone Will Meet Nature
The Metropolitan Municipality, which aims to ensure that the medicinal and aromatic plant garden can be used easily by all segments of the city, will also include examples of raised gardens specially designed for disabled and elderly citizens in the area. In this way, orthopedically disabled individuals (using wheelchairs) and elderly citizens will be able to closely examine, touch and even collect different types of plants in the area. This thoughtful application shows once again that everyone has the right to be in touch with nature and to get to know plants. This comprehensive and socially focused project of Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality is considered an important step that will both contribute to women's employment and strengthen the connection of city residents with nature.
