AGRICULTURE

Since the antique period, agriculture heads the economic activities in the region. Pursuant to

the famous famine after the Bronze Age, it is known that Egyptian King sent grain to the area in exchange for olives and olive oil. In addition, Telmessos was famed for grape vines during the antiquity and wine was among the primary export items. It is known that during the Egyptian domination, Telmessos paid tax on fruit trees and various grains as well as vegetables. With the Turkicizing of Anatolia the agricultural activities in the region became more vigorous. During the period of Beylics and subsequent years, styrax incense was exported from Makri  In Anno Hegirae of 1308, the statistics showed that the town of Makri paid more tax on agriculture and forestry, compared with Mugla and other districts, which goes to prove that this region was greatly developed in these fields. The Turkish people in the area were primarily involved in farming and livestock raising while other crafts and trades were undertaken by the Greeks. The houses were built on slopes unsuitable for farming to make better use of the soil in agricultural activities. Needless to- say, in this choice the search for security against earthquakes played a prominent part.

As of 2001, 55% of the population of our town is involved in agriculture with 27.000 forming families sustained on the income from this field. The surface area of the town is 305.900 hectares of which 54.4% is covered by forests, 22% by farms, I I .4 % by pastures and 12.2% by arid land. Total agricultural area is 67.300 hectares, only 77% of which can be irrigated.

Especially in irrigable areas, due to favourable climatic conditions and land structure, polycultural ogriculture is carried out.

EGETABLE GROWING

Greenhouses

Within the town in the areas at an altitude of 0-250 meters, vegetables are grown in greenhouses. By this method, 80% of our farmers get two products per year. The greenhouses (glass+plastic and low tunnels) cover an area of 18.000 decares and the annual turn-out, including the second production, totals to 295.000tons. Among the greenhouse products, tomatoes heads the list with 238.800 tons, followed by cucumbers with 54.000 tons.

Open farming

In the fields various vegetables are grown, most prominently tomatoes, melon-water melon, cucumbers, beans, lettuce, squash, cabbage, leek and parsley. The turn-out of vegetables in open farming is 230.000 tons, with 1 50.000 tons of melon-water melon heading the list. Tomatoes come second, totalling to 60.000 tons.

lndustrial Plants

Cotton is the second most common industrial plant grown in our town with 10.000 tons. It is grown at Kemer, Ortakoy, Oren, Doger, and Kumluova regions. Sugar beet and anaseed are grown on the plateaus, and tobacco is cultivated around Esen, Uzumlu and Kayakoy. Sesame and peanuts are also grown.

Field Plants

In addition to wheat and barley, chich-peas and beans are also cultivated.

Fruit and Citrus Growing

Olive 'groves are abundant at an altitude of 0-400 meters. In higher regions, especially in the Seki and Arsa plains, there are apple orchards. Cherry is grown in and around Nif. There are gnape vines almost everywhere in our town, especially at Uzumlu. Likewise, Incirkoy and Citrus fruits such as lemon, orange and tangerine are cultivated in and around Kargı and Yanıklar.