The project, which was submitted to the Fırat Development Agency within the framework of the Social Development Support Program (SOGEP), received support of 1 million 938 thousand 420 liras after it was approved by the Ministry of Industry and Technology. As a result of the work, an idle single-storey building in the Atatürk District of the city was turned into an oyster mushroom production and fruit drying facility.
In order to provide employment for women in the city, the ‘Productive Women Strong Tomorrows Project’ was implemented in 2022 by the Special Provincial Administration and the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.
11 women who came together within the Tunceli Producing Women Cooperative started working at the facility after the necessary applications and training. Women who come to the facility 5 days a week work hard to produce oyster mushrooms.
Women place mushroom compost brought from different provinces in the rooms of the facility and then take turns checking the temperature, humidity and light in the production area.
After a period of approximately 1.5 months, the mushrooms grow sufficiently and are harvested by women working in groups.
DURATION IS SPREAD OVER 45 DAYS
Cooperative President Ceren Yıldız said that job opportunities for women are limited in Tunceli.
Stating that the compost in the mushroom facility was supplied from Afyonkarahisar, Yıldız said, “In the future, we will make our own compost if we can implement it. The mushroom growing process spans 45 days. After 10-15 days of dormancy, activity begins in the compost and we make 10-15 centimeter scratches on the mushroom compost. “After this application, small mushrooms form and the development process begins,” he said.
Yıldız stated that they collect mushrooms from the compost at the facility at regular intervals and said, “We generally sell these products in Tunceli. We do not currently have any problems in marketing the products. We aim to expand our capacity and increase the number of working women in the coming years.” she said.
Gülçin Atan also explained that with the establishment of the facility, she became a business owner and contributed to the family budget.
Stating that he is happy to produce, Atan said, “Our oyster mushroom composts come to our facility at regular intervals and we place them in their places. Then, we carry out some work to ensure that the mushrooms develop and grow in a healthy way. At harvest time, we roll up our sleeves and collect the products with all our female friends.” he said.
