20.08.2026 14:30
Harvesting of the geographically indicated okra in Amasya has begun. The dried okra, which finds buyers at 1,400 TL per kilogram and is converted into cash at the door by traders at all hours of the day, has producers saying, 'It fell from Khidr's pocket; no matter how much you pick, it never ends.' This year, a yield of 2,500 tons is expected across the city.
In the Taşova district of Amasya, the geographically indicated flower okra, which is the most important source of livelihood for the local people, is called 'yellow gold' because its dried kilo has reached 1,400 TL and it can be instantly turned into cash. For the product harvested non-stop for 4 months, female producers say, 'It's as if it fell from Khidr's pocket; no matter how much you pick, it never runs out.'
Across Amasya, the flower okra harvest, which producers start by entering the fields with the first light of morning, continues at full speed. Okra, which draws attention with its yellow flower, labor-intensive production, and high economic value, is the main source of income for thousands of families in Taşova, Göynücek, and central villages. This year, a record yield of approximately 2,500 tons is expected in the province.
"IT SELLS EASIER THAN GOLD AND GOES STRAIGHT INTO YOUR POCKET"
Flower okra, whose dried kilo finds buyers at 1,400 TL, can find a market at any hour of the day. Okra, which merchants buy with cash even by coming to producers' doors late at night, is converted into cash much faster on the market compared to jewelry, which takes time to liquidate. Women going to the market can meet their daily needs the moment they sell their okra.
"IT FELL FROM KHIDR'S POCKET"
The tiny okras, picked every morning throughout the summer without losing their freshness, are strung one by one with needles by women and left to dry. Mezbure Gencel from Alpaslan village, who has been growing okra for years, explained the abundance of the product with these words: 'The elders say about okra, "It fell from Khidr's pocket." We pick them today, and tomorrow morning we see they have bloomed again. No matter how much you pick, they never run out. Because the flower is yellow, we compare it to a quarter gold coin. It's always cash.' Producer Gül Eser emphasized that she covers the education expenses of her 4 children with the income she earns from okra in the field.
THE LEADING DISH OF KONYA AND KAYSERİ
Amasya Governor Önder Bakan and AK Party Amasya Deputy Haluk İpek attended the harvest event held in the garden of Gül and Yusuf Eser, the champion couple of the cherry incentive competition. Governor Bakan, emphasizing the contribution of production to the regional economy, thanked all producers for their efforts. Deputy Haluk İpek noted that this special geographically indicated product, especially in provinces like Konya and Kayseri, holds a prime place as soup on wedding, mevlit, and Ramadan tables, and drew attention to the product being a source of healing.