Canola Production Set to Multiply

Canola Production Set to Expand Dramatically Canola (konza), with an oil content of 50 percent in its seeds, is being produced in Samsun across 2,250 hectares. Production of canola, manufactured as an alternative to sunflower oil, is aimed to reach up to 10,000 hectares within 2-3 years. Sunflower oil is the most widely used liquid oil variety in Turkey. Following sunflower, which accounts for 90 percent of usage in Turkish cuisine, soya is the second most commonly used oil type. To prevent potential oil shortages in the future, canola cultivation has been prioritized in Samsun and 15 provinces across Turkey. In this context, canola sown across 1,250 hectares in Samsun in 2021 has been increased to 2,250 hectares this year. With support measures for canola, seed canola production is targeted to reach 10,000 hectares in Samsun within 2-3 years.

"Canola seeds have an oil content of between 38 and 50 percent"

Samsun Director of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Sağlam, highlighting that canola is a highly oily plant with a flash point up to 238 degrees, stated: "Canola is also known as konza. It is an oil crop that can be sown both as a winter and summer crop. Canola seeds have an oil content ranging from 38 to 50 percent. Additionally, canola contains a protein ratio between 16 and 24 percent. Along with high oleic and linoleic acid content, it is a quality oil crop due to its high flash point of 238 degrees. Ninety percent of oils used in Turkey are oil-type sunflower. Soya ranks second, canola third. Since canola seeds are very small, the area where they are sown must have irrigation capability. Particularly at the initial emergence stage, irrigation may be absolutely necessary."

"We aim to increase our 2,250 hectares of cultivated canola to 10,000 hectares"

İbrahim Sağlam, also noting that they will increase canola cultivation areas in Samsun within 2-3 years, said: "Recently, speculation regarding oils is taking place. We will certainly ensure an increase in this regard. In 2021, we sowed canola across 1,250 hectares. This resulted in 438 tonnes of increased production. This year, by sowing an additional 1,000 hectares, we cultivated canola across 2,250 hectares. Under our ministry's support framework, we are providing 80 kuruş per kilogram support for canola. We are also providing 20 TL diesel support and 8 TL fertilizer support. For the use of certified seeds, we are providing 20 TL support per hectare. Regarding the increase in cultivation, a study covering 15 provinces was conducted in Tekirdağ by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Among these provinces, Samsun was the only one from the Black Sea region. In Samsun, we committed to an increase between 6,000 and 10,000 hectares. Following the three-day training conducted by the ministry on 'how to achieve increases,' we will expand canola cultivation areas in the upcoming planting seasons. In Samsun, we have commitments between 6,000 and 10,000 hectares in the first 2-3 years. God willing, with our support measures, we will increase canola cultivation not only in Bafra but also in Vezirköprü, Havza, Alaçam and 19 Mayıs."

Providing visual beauty as well as benefits

Besides its contribution to the oil industry, canola plants also provide visual beauty to the areas where they are cultivated. When citizens see canola fields with yellow leaves like sunflowers, they pull their cars to the roadside and take photographs among the canola plants. Particularly citizens traveling between cities enjoy running through canola fields they had not seen before.