TRUFFLE MUSHROOM WILL BE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP

EGET

Efforts are accelerating to cultivate truffles economically in Turkey, a food known worldwide as a staple in high society cuisine, adorning the kitchens of the wealthy in Europe, and with a market share of $6 billion.

Black truffles, among the world's most expensive agricultural products, will be cultivated in the Ula district of Muğla. The income generated from this foundation-funded operation will be used to provide educational scholarships to students from underprivileged backgrounds.

FIRST HARVESTS TO BE IN 2019

Turkey's largest truffle investment will be undertaken by a foundation established to provide educational scholarships. The EGET Foundation, established to support students of all levels who cannot afford to study due to financial difficulties, will cultivate truffles at the Armutçuk Agricultural Enterprise in the Urla district of Muğla. The first harvests will be obtained in 2019. Truffle mushrooms, also called 'black diamonds' because they grow underground and resemble coal, fetch prices of up to 1000 Euros per kilogram.

FIRST TRUFFLES, THEN LAVENDER HONEY

Oak saplings planted at the EGET Foundation's Armutçuk Agricultural Enterprise were inoculated with black truffles under the supervision of Assoc. Dr. Aziz Türkoğlu, Director of the Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Truffle Application and Research Center. Along with truffles, lavender and lavender honey will also be produced as byproducts at the EGET Foundation's agricultural enterprise.

20 ACRES OF LAND TO PRODUCE 600,000 TL WORTH OF MUSHROOM ANNUALLY

Information from the foundation emphasized that the agricultural enterprise aims to generate up to 600,000 TL annually from black truffles alone. It was stated that the 20,000 square meter (20-acre) area planted with saplings represents the largest truffle production investment in Turkey.

TRUFFLE SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDENTS

Foundation officials stated that the foundation's unchangeable purpose is to provide educational scholarships, saying, "Our aim is both to promote truffle cultivation in Turkey and to provide educational scholarships to thousands of students." This will be the first time income from a plant-based product is used to fund educational scholarships.

TURKEY'S CLIMATE IS VERY SUITABLE

Worldwide, truffles are most widely produced in France, followed by Spain and Italy. In Turkey, they are found in some regions of the Mediterranean, Aegean, Marmara, and Black Sea. Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University is leading the way in increasing the recognition of truffles and turning them into an economically viable product.