23.08.2026 08:40
Melda Ertürk Gençer, a 33-year-old physiotherapist working in Istanbul, drew inspiration from berries commonly sold in supermarkets during her time in the United States and planted 7,800 blackberry saplings on her family farm in Tekirdağ. Having harvested approximately 1 ton of product last year, the young entrepreneur expects a 5-ton yield this year and aims to increase production to 20 tons in the long term, with plans to export to the US and Canada.
Melda Ertürk Gençer, a 33-year-old physiotherapist living in Istanbul, also carries out agricultural production with 7,800 blackberry saplings on her farm in Tekirdağ alongside her profession.
Gençer, who works as a physiotherapist at her own health center, deals with agricultural production on her family's farm in Güveçli Neighborhood in Tekirdağ.
Gençer, who allocated an 11-decare area for blackberry production on her farm named "Yaşamola," aims to bring products with high nutritional value to consumers and to carry her production to exports in the future.
"WE EXPECT APPROXIMATELY 5 TONS OF PRODUCT THIS YEAR"
Gençer told the AA correspondent that her profession in the health field was also influential in her turning to agriculture.
Stating that she aims to reduce the distance between the producer and the consumer, Gençer said, "My approach to nutrition and healthy living directed me toward products with high nutritional value. Since blackberries are high in vitamin C and antioxidants, I especially turned to them."
Gençer stated that she wanted to create a production area where people could see where and how the product they consume is grown and could establish contact with the soil.
Explaining that she started blackberry production last year, Gençer noted that approximately one ton of product was obtained in the first harvest.
Stating that in fruit growing, as the age of the plant increases, the yield also increases, Gençer said, "We started production with 7,800 saplings on 11 decares. Age and yield are directly proportional in fruit growing. This year we were damaged by hail, but we expect approximately 5 tons of product in the second harvest of the year."
Gençer stated that they aim to obtain 20 tons of product from the garden.
Stating that blackberries are suitable for the climatic conditions of Thrace, Gençer said that cultivation requires intense labor and constant attention.
Expressing that the harvest period carries special excitement for her, Gençer explained that they carry out the harvest in May and June, and September and October, with 10 female workers she hires as daily laborers.
HER EXPERIENCE IN THE USA WAS INFLUENTIAL IN THE PRODUCTION DECISION
Stating that she lived in the USA for a while, Gençer noted that the widespread availability of berries, as they are called there, in markets attracted her attention.
Stating that she thought these products could become more accessible in Turkey as well, Gençer expressed that this observation was influential in her turning to blackberry production.
Noting that Tekirdağ's proximity to Istanbul and its advantageous location for access to European markets also played an important role in the investment decision, Gençer stated that she aims to export the products to the USA and Canada in the future.
Stating that they want to strengthen the bond between agricultural production and the consumer, Gençer said, "With the blackberries we grow in Tekirdağ, we want to establish a presence especially in the domestic market and open up to exports along with good agriculture. We have started with blackberries for now, but creating a strong brand of berries and small fruits based on good agricultural practices is one of our biggest goals."