15.12.2025 06:31
Ahmet Sarı, the 45-year-old muhtar of Çetenli Mahallesi, established an olive oil production facility with support from the Agricultural and Rural Development Support Institution in Hatay. With this investment, he not only increased production but also provided employment for the residents of the neighborhood. Sarı's facility produces 250 tons of olive oil annually, exporting to both the domestic market and Saudi Arabia.
Ahmet Sarı, the muhtar who established an olive oil production facility with the support of the Agricultural and Rural Development Support Institution (TKDK) in the Altınözü district of Hatay, has provided job opportunities for the residents of the neighborhood.
RECEIVED 65% GRANT SUPPORT FOR A 10 MILLION LIRA INVESTMENT
45-year-old Sarı, who has been the muhtar of Çetenli Neighborhood for two terms, decided to invest to increase the economic value of the products he grows in the 150-decare olive grove inherited from his family. With the project he prepared to convert the olives he distributed to his family and relatives into oil, Sarı applied to TKDK's "Craftsmanship and Value-Added Products" program in 2020. His project was deemed eligible for support, and Sarı received a 65% grant for a 10 million lira investment, establishing a 13,000 square meter olive oil facility, 5,000 square meters of which is covered, on the land in his neighborhood that same year.
PROVIDED JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE LOCAL PEOPLE
Sarı offers job opportunities to the local people in the process that extends from the collection of olives to their conversion into oil and the pruning of trees. Depending on the season, Sarı employs between 20 to 50 people and not only supplies the 250 tons of olive oil they produce annually to the domestic market but also exports to Saudi Arabia.
"CREATING INCOME FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS"
Ahmet Sarı stated that he invested to evaluate the harvested olives and contribute to his neighborhood. Expressing that they have modernized the traditional olive oil production in the region, Sarı said: "We are trying to produce olive oil with the latest model machines. During the olive season, we employ about 50 people, and in other periods, at least 20-30 people. We try to employ as many villagers as we can. After the olive pressing is done, there are jobs like pruning, digging, and maintenance. These provide income for the neighborhood residents." Sarı noted that he aims to expand the market network and export to more countries.
WAS GOING TO OTHER CITIES FOR WORK BEFORE THE FACILITY
Erhan Çaylı, a 29-year-old machine master among the neighborhood residents working at the facility, expressed his satisfaction with his job, saying, "I used to work in Adana, Osmaniye, and Şanlıurfa. Thanks to our muhtar, he opened this place. Working here is better for me than going out of town; I am happy."
Mehmet Aslan, 44, explained that he is involved in the entire logistics process from the collection of olives to the transportation of workers. Thanking the muhtar for opening a door to employment for the neighborhood, Aslan noted that he is able to support his household through this job.