Seda Taşkın – Kars
The sunflower harvest season has begun in the Arpaçay district of the city of Kars (Qers) in Turkey.
MedyaNews watched the seasonal agricultural workers during the day. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for many people in Kars (Qers), which stands at an altitude of 1,750 metres. Sunflowers are one of the most significant agricultural products, occupying 200,000 decares. The sunflowers are harvested by seasonal agricultural workers.
The working day for the Bozkuş family, who have travelled from Urfa (Riha) to Kars (Qers) as seasonal agricultural workers, starts at 5am.
Workers go to the sunflower farm before sunrise
The seasonal workers begin work at the sunflower farms before sunrise, cutting the heads of the sunflowers one by one.
The tops of the sunflowers are cut one by one
Following cutting, the heads of sunflowers are processed by a harvester in a farm occupying hundreds of decares.
The heads are thrown into the harvester
After processing, sunflower seeds are taken into the village by tractors and are dried on protective sheets laid on the floor.
After processing by the harvester, sunflower seeds are taken into the village by tractors and are dried on the protective sheets laid on the floor
After processing by the harvester, sunflower seeds are taken into the village by tractors and are dried on the protective sheets laid on the floor.
After the seeds have been prepared by the workers, they put them into the storerooms to sell to wholesalers and seed factories.
Seasonal workers work until sunset
Following the sunflower harvest season, which lasts for twenty days, the Bozkuş family will travel to the city of Sivas to work during the potato harvest there.
Workers are eating their food during a short break