Bluefarm Tarım launches first contract farming project with women-led blueberry venture in İpsala
Bluefarm Tarım, a subsidiary of Türkiye’s agricultural commodities company DCT Trading, has launched its first contract farming project in İpsala in partnership with Blueberry Ladies Tarımsal Üretim A.Ş., a women-led agricultural venture established by nine female entrepreneurs.
Under the agreement, the project will initially produce blueberries in approximately 2,500 pots, with output expected to reach around 13 tons once the plants reach full production capacity.
Levent Sadık Ahmet, Chairman of the Board of Bluefarm Tarım, said the company would provide the women entrepreneurs with support ranging from know-how transfer and a fertilization center to full automation systems, material supplies and infrastructure development.
Bluefarm Tarım expands its blueberry producer network
Bluefarm Tarım is continuing to expand its investments in blueberry production as part of DCT Trading’s broader growth strategy linking agriculture and technology.
The company is developing the Bluefarm Tarım Blueberry Farm on a 265-decare site with an investment of approximately €4.5 million. The facility is planned to eventually reach a capacity of 150,000 blueberry plants.
Alongside increasing its own production capacity, Bluefarm Tarım aims to expand production and export volumes by establishing partnerships with local producers.
The contract farming agreement with Blueberry Ladies Tarımsal Üretim was signed at the Bluefarm Tarım Blueberry Farm. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ebubekir Gizligider, Edirne Governor Yunus Sezer and representatives from public institutions and the agricultural sector attended the ceremony.
Experience from Greece to be transferred to Türkiye
Levent Sadık Ahmet said Bluefarm would bring the knowledge and experience gained through its operations in Greece to Türkiye.
He noted that the contract farming model successfully implemented in the Yaka region of Greece would also be introduced in İpsala and surrounding areas, providing local farmers with a high-value alternative crop.
According to Ahmet, the company also aims to share its experience in modern agricultural practices with producers while developing a production model that particularly supports women’s employment and contributes to regional development.
Women entrepreneurs to receive guaranteed market access
Under the agreement, Blueberry Ladies Tarımsal Üretim will lease land from Bluefarm Tarım and grow blueberries using modern production methods.
The blueberries produced by the women-led company will then be sold to Bluefarm Tarım under the contract farming arrangement, providing the producers with a guaranteed buyer for their output.
Bluefarm Tarım will support the project through technical know-how, fertilization services, automation systems, material supplies and infrastructure. The company will also regularly monitor the production areas and provide technical assistance to help the entrepreneurs reach full production capacity as quickly as possible.
2,500 pots expected to produce 13 tons of blueberries
The first phase of the project will involve approximately 2,500 pots. Once the plants reach full production, output is expected to reach around 13 tons.
The companies aim to export the blueberries, allowing the production of the women entrepreneurs to contribute directly to Türkiye’s agricultural exports.
The project will use a soilless and environmentally friendly production model designed to minimize water consumption and support sustainable agriculture.
The initiative is also expected to create employment opportunities for women in İpsala, with Blueberry Ladies developing a women-focused employment model within its own production area.
Women entrepreneurs target a model for Türkiye
Meltem Çelik, Chairwoman of the Board of Blueberry Ladies Tarımsal Üretim, said the nine founding women entrepreneurs aim to establish a sustainable, export-oriented agricultural production model focused on high-value crops.
She highlighted Bluefarm Tarım’s technical expertise, modern agricultural infrastructure and experience as important factors in the partnership.
Çelik said the structure covering the process from production to sales would allow the company to expand its own production while creating a women’s entrepreneurship model in İpsala that could serve as an example for Türkiye.
