20 kovanla başladı, 400 kovana ulaştı: Tescilli Zara balında hedef 10 ton üretim

Naciye Erkan, a 56-year-old resident of Zara district in Sivas, produces registered "Zara honey" with support from the Small and Medium Enterprises Development and Support Administration (KOSGEB). Married and a mother of three, Naciye Erkan started beekeeping with her husband 32 years ago due to limited job opportunities in the district. Having worked in beekeeping with her husband Metin Erkan for many years, the female entrepreneur applied to KOSGEB about 5 years ago and received support for hives, equipment, and a caravan. Drawing attention with her pink beekeeping suit, Erkan both produces the district's geographically registered Zara honey and raises queen bees. A nomadic beekeeper who practices her profession in challenging geographical areas, Naciye Erkan said she has loved beekeeping for years. Stating that she established her own business 5 years ago with the hive, equipment, and caravan support she received from KOSGEB, Erkan said, "I have been working separately in my business for 5 years, both to be an example for women and to show that a woman can also succeed in this business." - "Producing is a wonderful thing" Erkan pointed out that being a nomadic beekeeper in rural areas is difficult, mentioning risks such as ticks, snakes, and bears. Explaining that he previously lived in a container, Erkan said, "It was very hot, and I raised my three children there. At that time, instead of playing, the children were constantly watching me through the container window. There was no television or electricity. We went through difficult times, but despite everything, I love beekeeping, I enjoy my work. I also raise queen bees; producing is a wonderful thing." Erkan emphasized her contribution to the economy, stating: "We produce all bee products such as honey, pollen, royal jelly, and propolis. I feel lucky; this job is not easy. Zara is a beautiful district with its nature and plants. We have a wide variety of plants like thyme and spiny broom, and that's why our honey is of very high quality. Honey yield varies from year to year; sometimes we get 5-6 tons, sometimes 2 tons. This year we are a little hopeful; we have expectations of up to 10 tons. I sent the honey I produced to the agricultural chamber for analysis, and it met all the criteria. I received a gift from the district governor; it's a nice thing to be an example to people. Beekeeping is a very beautiful and enjoyable job; anyone can do it." Everyone else wears white, she wears pink Erkan, noting that beekeepers generally wear white clothes, said that she wears a pink beekeeping suit. Erkan stated that she does not experience any market problems, adding, "Because Zara honey is registered and I am a female producer, people trust it more." Erkan stated that they started honey production with 20 hives, and after separating their businesses, he and his wife each had 400 hives. He also mentioned that he has 400 queen bee boxes. Expressing that his grandfather and nephew sometimes help him, Erkan said, "My wife can't help me with the work, but I always see her as a mountain of support behind me. We love beekeeping as a family. Because I love bees so much, we named my youngest daughter, who is 21 years old, 'Polen'."