Harvest of Trial Fodder Turnip in Siirt
A trial planting of a new plant known as forage turnip has been successfully harvested in the Kurtalan district of Turkey, thanks to the efforts of the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry. This initiative aims to provide an alternative to clover and meet the needs of animal breeders in the region.
Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, Ergün Demirhan, explained that the forage turnip was planted for the first time for trial purposes and has shown great potential in meeting the demands of livestock owners. The plant, which can produce an average of 6 tons of green grass per decare, is being touted as a valuable alternative for producers, especially in areas where irrigation is not feasible.
The Ministry of Agriculture is focusing on supporting the production of alternative plant varieties that consume less water, in response to global warming and climate change. Demirhan emphasized the importance of promoting forage crops like the forage turnip in regions where water scarcity is a concern.
Agricultural engineer, Fatma Bekçi, noted that the plant is easy to cultivate, cost-effective, and of high quality. With the ability to withstand temperatures as low as 19 degrees below zero, the forage turnip does not require much water and can yield up to 6 tons per decare.
Overall, the trial planting of the forage turnip in Siirt has shown promising results, and efforts are underway to encourage its widespread adoption among producers to support animal husbandry in the region.
