A New Era of Community-Oriented Agriculture Guided by Science

Bornova Municipality and the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers Join Forces Through a Common Vision

Bornova Municipality officially opened two new urban gardens covering a total of 11,000 square meters in the Karacaoğlan and Yunus Emre neighborhoods, bringing the district’s total urban agricultural area to 50,000 square meters and the number of women producers to 1,160. At the opening ceremony, which drew a large crowd, a historic cooperation protocol was also signed with the İzmir Branch of the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers of the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) to ensure that urban agricultural production is carried out using scientific methods. Emphasizing the community-oriented production model they have established, Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki said, “We are growing the abundance of the soil through science and bringing it to our people’s tables.”

Focusing on social municipal services, agricultural development and community solidarity, Bornova Municipality has taken its urban agricultural initiatives to the next level with the opening of the Karacaoğlan and Yunus Emre Urban Gardens.

The opening ceremony attracted considerable interest and was attended by Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki and his wife Beste Eşki, TMMOB Chamber of Agricultural Engineers İzmir Branch President Dr. Hakan Çakıcı, former Mayor Prof. Dr. Kamil Okyay Sındır, council members, neighborhood heads and hundreds of residents. As part of the ceremony, a comprehensive “Cooperation Protocol” aimed at developing Bornova’s agriculture and supporting local producers through scientific methods was signed in the presence of residents. The protocol was signed by Mayor Ömer Eşki and Dr. Hakan Çakıcı, President of the İzmir Branch of the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers.

Mayor Eşki: “We Are Growing the Abundance of the Soil Through Science and Bringing It to Our People’s Tables”

In his opening speech, Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki emphasized the community-oriented production model they have established in the district and said:

“We are not only building roads and buildings in Bornova; we are making lasting investments in this city’s soil, future and human dignity. Since the day we took office, we have opened up channels of production so that no one in Bornova feels alone.

At the heart of this great vision is our 20-decare Solidarity Farm in Yakaköy. We did not leave that land idle; together with university students, workers and neighborhood heads, we grew completely natural tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. We delivered tons of produce harvested there to the tables of our low-income neighbors through our Kent Market and Kent Lokantası facilities. We returned the abundance of the people’s land to the people themselves.

We are now taking this great achievement in agriculture one step further. With our urban gardens in Altındağ, Işıkkent, Mevlana, Pınarbaşı, Rafetpaşa, EVKA-4, Doğanlar and the ones we have most recently opened, Bornova has reached a total of 1,160 production plots and has become a pioneering municipality with the largest number of urban gardens in Türkiye. Our goal is to reach 4,000 households by the end of our term.

Through the protocol we signed today with the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers, we are strengthening this vast production network with fully scientific guidance. With the academic expertise of our engineers, we will protect our geographically indicated values, ‘Bornova Kınalı Okra’ and ‘Bornova Misket Grape,’ and accelerate the registration process for the ‘Bornova Tulip.’ With the technical guidance of our chamber, we will further expand our Ecological Urban Seed Center, which protects our heirloom seeds. We will sow science into the soil and harvest prosperity for all of Bornova.”

Dr. Hakan Çakıcı: “We Are Strengthening Bornova’s Community-Oriented Agricultural Model with Technical Knowledge”

Dr. Hakan Çakıcı, President of the İzmir Branch of the TMMOB Chamber of Agricultural Engineers, who signed the protocol, expressed his great satisfaction at bringing academic expertise to the field and said:

“Bornova Municipality’s Yakaköy Solidarity Farm project, in particular, and the urban gardens spreading throughout the neighborhoods represent an outstanding community-oriented agricultural model that could serve as an example for local governments across Türkiye. As agricultural engineers, we believe that knowledge should not remain solely in laboratories or lecture halls; it must meet the soil.

Through this cooperation, we are making the most qualified experts within our chamber available to Bornova’s farmers and women producers. We will actively organize field-based training in vital areas such as beekeeping, olive and vineyard cultivation, pruning, grafting and urban agroecological agriculture. We will provide the municipality with the highest level of technical and scientific advisory support for the preservation of local seeds, biological pest control methods and geographical indication applications. We thank Mayor Ömer Eşki and his team for their visionary commitment and the value they place on the soil.”

Prof. Dr. Kamil Okyay Sındır: “Agriculture in Bornova Is Coming Back to Life Through the Caring Hands of Science”

Former Bornova Mayor and Professor of Agricultural Sciences Prof. Dr. Kamil Okyay Sındır delivered one of the ceremony’s most meaningful speeches, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and science:

“As an agricultural engineer, an academic and a former mayor who has served this city, I feel an indescribable sense of pride here today for agriculture and for Bornova. Agricultural production is a country’s and a city’s struggle for independence. The flame of solidarity that dear Mayor Ömer lit in Yakaköy, together with the urban gardens in our neighborhoods, is the most beautiful victory of the soil over concrete development in Bornova.

Bringing agriculture together with an academic and technical body such as the Chamber of Agricultural Engineers, away from populist approaches, is a true demonstration of statesmanship and vision. The Chamber of Agricultural Engineers is my home, and Bornova Municipality is my passion. The coming together of these two deeply rooted institutions for Bornova’s Kınalı Okra, Misket Grape and tulip will safeguard the future of our soil. Agriculture in Bornova is coming back to life through the caring hands of science. I sincerely thank Mayor Ömer Eşki for bringing this sense of loyalty and this vision to the city.”

Neighborhood Heads Speak with One Voice: “Our Neighborhoods Are Breathing, and Solidarity Is Growing”

Speaking on behalf of neighborhood residents, Yeşilova Neighborhood Head Sevda Korkmaz and Karacaoğlan Neighborhood Head Sönmez Eriş summarized the impact of the urban gardens and the Yakaköy project on neighborhood life:

“Before urban gardens were established in our neighborhoods, our neighbors were confined among buildings. Bornova Municipality did not simply provide us with free seedlings, soil and water; it taught us how to share with one another and how to find healing by connecting with the soil.

From Karacaoğlan to EVKA-4, our women are producing with their own hands, while the produce from the Yakaköy Solidarity Farm provides vital support to the kitchens of low-income households in our neighborhoods. Now, hearing that agricultural engineers will also come to our neighborhoods and provide us with scientific training has doubled our excitement.

On behalf of our neighborhoods, we express our gratitude to Mayor Ömer Eşki for providing us with these opportunities, listening to our voices and making us part of production.”

First Seedlings Planted and the Area Explored Together

Following the speeches and the signing of the protocol, the opening ribbon was cut and the gardens were toured together. Women producers entered the fields and planted the first winter crops—cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage seedlings—and gave them their first watering.

The Karacaoğlan Urban Garden, which will be jointly used with Yeşilova Neighborhood, covers 8,000 square meters and contains 202 plots. The Yunus Emre Urban Garden covers 3,000 square meters and contains 91 plots.