Turkey to Produce Hybrid Seed

While a gram of regular tomato seed sells for 19 million liras, a gram of hybrid tomato seed sells for 25 million liras. Turkey spends 100 million on hybrid seed annually

The Agriculture Ministry, 5 universities and 20 domestic seed producers collaborated in order to make a domestic hybrid. Agriculture and Village Affairs Minister Sami Guclu attended a ceremony in Antalya that marked the kick off of the vegetable varieties and seeding project.

The State Planning Institution (DPT) is contributing TL 4.2 trillion to the project, which has a total projected cost of TL 7 trillion. The Agriculture Ministry will add TL 1.8 trillion and 20 foundations in private sector will contribute TL 1 trillion.

Pepper, eggplant, tomato, cucumber, squash, melon, watermelon and cabbage hybrid seed will be produced within the scope of the project.

Cukurova, Sabanci, Akdeniz, Ankara and Uludag universities are participating in the project.