Geothermal energy's role in boosting Türkiye's agri production

Added on 22 January 2024

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Geothermal energy's role in boosting Türkiye's agri production

A man works in a greenhouse for planting tomato in Afyonkarahisar, Türkiye, on Jan. 18, 2024. Geothermal energy stands as a key driver to boost agricultural production in Türkiye as it is one of the countries in Europe with the most geothermal resources, experts said. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

TURKIYE, Ankara (Xinhua) -- "If it weren't for geothermal resources, we wouldn't be doing greenhouse agriculture here. This is a natural blessing," said Hakan Kozan, CEO of Kozan Agriculture, a producer from Afyonkarahisar, a province 250 km west of the Turkish capital Ankara.

His farmland is located in the Sandikli district of Afyonkarahisar, an area well-known for its geothermal resources and hot springs, where even bus stops are heated with abundant thermal water.

"We produce natural cluster tomatoes and cucumbers on 130,000 square meters of greenhouses and export our produce to 18 countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Qatar," Kozan told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Geothermal energy stands as a key driver to boost agricultural production in Türkiye as it is one of the countries in Europe with the most geothermal resources, experts said.

In the Medium-Term Economic Program unveiled in September last year by the Turkish government, there is a significant focus on geothermal drilling and geothermal use for agricultural zones.

The program that covers economic targets 2024-2026 emphasizes that investments in the construction of greenhouses in geothermal zones will be accelerated to ensure the supply of fresh fruits and vegetables.

"Türkiye is rich in geothermal resources, and the state is offering incentives and grants regarding greenhouse businesses that also create sustainable jobs for many people," Kozan said.