She Became Her Own Boss by Starting Blueberry Production on Idle Land

Mehtap Aksoy, a graduate of Atatürk University, turned to agricultural production with 250 blueberry saplings she planted on her father's idle land in the Yomra district. Yielding an average of 300 kilograms of products per year, the entrepreneur contributes to the family economy by selling all over Turkey through social media.

The Production Journey That Began on Idle Land

Mehtap Aksoy, a graduate of the Banking and Insurance Department, takes care of approximately 250 blueberry saplings located on a 5-decare plot of land in the Demirciler Neighborhood of Yomra district. Having started taking care of the saplings planted by her father on the idle land about seven years ago, the entrepreneur focused more on production over time.

High Interest Through Social Media

Turning blueberries, which have a high antioxidant value, into economic value, Aksoy initially gave the fruit, also known as likarba in the Black Sea region, to her relatives and neighbors. Upon increasing interest in the products, the producer started taking orders via social media and meets demands coming from many provinces.

Delicate Harvest Process at High Altitude

Due to the garden being sloped and located at an altitude of 1,300 meters, weather conditions play a decisive role in production. Because of the delicate nature of the fruit, harvesting needs to be done daily, and the products ripen between mid-July and early August.

New Projects for the Future Period

Learning to turn blueberries into different products such as jam and marmalade in addition to fresh consumption, Aksoy aims to expand her production area. The entrepreneur plans to apply for government support next year to plant aronia saplings in the garden.