As the 2026 hazelnut harvest approaches, Prof. Dr. Ümit Serdar from the Department of Horticulture at the Faculty of Agriculture of Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) is encouraging producers to adopt the net ground cover method to reduce harvesting costs and improve efficiency.

According to Prof. Dr. Serdar, field trials conducted by his team showed that the method can increase harvesting speed by three to four times while also improving kernel yield.

"Our trials demonstrated that the net method increases harvesting speed by at least three to four times while also improving kernel yield. This approach should be adopted more widely to reduce harvesting costs," he said.

Lower Costs Are Essential for Maintaining Competitiveness

While Türkiye remains the world's leading hazelnut producer, Prof. Dr. Serdar emphasized that maintaining this position requires not only high productivity but also lower production costs.

He noted that the 2026 season is expected to produce a strong harvest, provided that hazelnuts are harvested properly and protected from major threats such as the brown marmorated stink bug and powdery mildew.

A Practical Alternative to Conventional Harvesting

Rising labor costs have become one of the greatest challenges facing hazelnut growers. Prof. Dr. Serdar pointed out that the daily cost of operating motorized brush cutters has reached approximately TRY 7,000, making more efficient harvesting methods increasingly important.

Although harvesting machines are already used on relatively flat terrain, their efficiency can decline in wet conditions. According to Prof. Dr. Serdar, some producers have even switched from mechanical harvesters to the net method because of its practical advantages.

He also noted that government-supported projects have begun providing financial assistance for purchasing harvesting nets, helping to encourage wider adoption.

Mechanization Will Strengthen Global Competitiveness

Prof. Dr. Serdar stressed that mechanization remains the most effective way to reduce production costs and improve Türkiye's competitiveness against other major hazelnut-producing countries, including the United States, Chile, Italy, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.

While many operations on flat land can already be performed using tractor-mounted equipment, he noted that remote-controlled and robotic technologies are being developed for the steep terrain common in many hazelnut orchards.

Additional Recommendation for Controlling Basal Shoots

Prof. Dr. Serdar also highlighted a previously developed method for controlling basal shoots (suckers) in hazelnut orchards.

The technique involves applying a solution prepared by dissolving 10–15 kilograms of ammonium sulfate fertilizer or rock salt in 100 liters of water while shoots are still 15–20 centimeters tall. When repeated three to four times per year, the method can reduce the cost of sucker management by approximately 65 percent.

He emphasized that timing is critical. Once shoots reach 40 centimeters to one meter in height, mechanical alternatives, such as attachments fitted to motorized brush cutters or modified tea-harvesting machines, become more appropriate.