01.09.2025 16:09
A farmer from Bursa, who planted 500 acres of watermelons based on a contract signed with a company from Konya in February, stated that approximately 3,500 tons of his produce have not been collected, resulting in millions of losses.
Seçim Gezegen, who produces tomatoes, corn, and watermelons on inherited land in the Ovahamidiye neighborhood of Karacabey, signed a contract for watermelon production with a company in February. Based on the contract, Gezegen planted watermelons on 500 acres with seedlings provided by the company and managed the entire process smoothly with the company until the harvest period.
THE COMPANY DISAPPEARED
Gezegen explained that the company initially fulfilled its responsibilities, but when the watermelon season opened and harvesting began, prices in the Karacabey Plain deteriorated. "In other words, when watermelons were sold for between 1,000 and 10,000 lira per acre, the Konya-based company we made a contract with disappeared after taking a certain amount of watermelons from us," he said.
THE LAND IS FILLED WITH WATERMELONS
Emphasizing that they called the company to Karacabey several times but did not receive a positive response, Gezegen stated:
"They told us, 'The contract price is high, and the watermelon price has dropped significantly,' and they wanted the prices written in the contract to be updated again. We accepted that, yet they left approximately 300 acres of my watermelons in the field along with the land we are currently on. As you can see, the land is filled with watermelons. Traders offered 60,000 lira per acre for this watermelon about 20 days ago, but we didn't sell it because it was contracted. This product is left with us. They said they would come today or tomorrow, but they didn't come, and my product was wasted in the field."
AGREED AT 5 AND 7 LIRA PER KILO
Stating that he is devastated despite having made a contracted planting, Gezegen said, "In February, we agreed on 5 lira per kilo for seeded watermelon and 7 lira for seedless watermelon. When prices collapsed in the Karacabey Plain, instead of buying from us, the company went and bought for 1 lira or 2 lira per kilo. They practically bought for free from other farmers and sent out 60 trucks of products from the region every day."
Gezegen mentioned that the company claimed there was a disease in their product, but not a single one was spoiled, and continued:
"When I realized they wouldn't come, it was a bit late; I initiated legal action. I have approximately 15-20 million lira in losses here. I produce, I try to produce, I make contracts as the state officials want, but I still incur losses. I spent 40,000 lira per acre. Earning 15-20,000 lira per acre is my right too. We didn't sell to traders for 60,000 lira per acre. This happened to us because we were honest. We sent a notice to the relevant company. They did not respond. We brought the issue to the judicial authorities, and an inspection was conducted. Once the inspection reports are out, we will take a position accordingly."
LIVES IN LONDON, COMES FOR THE INHERITED LAND
Stating that he lives in London and runs a restaurant, Gezegen said: "We came to plant to take care of our father's land, and we incurred losses. I have been coming to plant and harvest the fields for about 10 years. I come in April and return in the fall. I am a good farmer, a good producer, someone who values his goods and land, who applies fertilizers and pesticides on time, and I love my land and my country very much. They took away my love for agriculture."
Gezegen noted that the company initially acted in accordance with the contract and took 55 trucks of A-quality products, stating, "They took about 1,300 tons of my product, and the rest is left. They do not even give me the receipts for the trucks they took from my land. There is incredible negligence in the company. Later, I learned that they had similarly victimized many farmers in Karacabey," he said.
Pointing out that tons of watermelons have not been harvested, Gezegen said, "Disrespect for labor is disrespect for hard work. I call on the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and the Minister of Commerce; you start tracking farmers who deliver their goods with trailers, so take action against the company that does not take my contracted goods. 3,500 tons can feed a province. We can meet the watermelon needs of a small province in Turkey with 3,500 tons, but it is left in the field," he concluded.