Farmers in many places, particularly in Batman's Gercüş district, were barely able to yield from the grape last season because of the powdery mildew.

Experts said that they expect quality grape yield in Gercüş this season following their research in vineyards.

Agricultural Engineer Envar Keskin, Gercüş Grape Producers Association President and Seyithan Öner, Agricultural Consultant of Gercüş Chamber of Agriculture, said farmers should have information or support from experts about powdery mildew.

Noting that grape status is better than last year, Enver Keskin said they expect the grape yield to be better than in previous years.

"The diseases that the Chamber of Agriculture reported last year from its data system about the work done for our farmers are virtually absent this year," Keskin underlined.

"Mezrona grape, known as shire grape, is a grape variety unique to our region. It is a very demanding and interesting grape variety especially in Gercüş and Midyat region," he added.

Keskin indicating that the harvest period of the mezrona grape is between the end of September and the beginning of October.

Saying that the harvest begins in one month and two months, Keskin pointed out that some producers are making molasses [pekmez] of the mezrona grape. "In the past, yields were much higher, while products such as grape leather, churchkhela [walnuts on a string dipped in starch grape molasses] were also produced."

Seyithan Öner also stressed that the mezrona grape has its own unique aroma, grown in Gercüş with a high yield.

"Although it is the most preferred crop by farmers, many of our vineyards have dried up in recent years due to exposure to powdery mildew," he said.

Öner noted that the fight against diseases began to get better after establishing the early warning system in Gercüş after 2014. "Especially this year compared to last year, there is almost no powdery mildew rate."

ILKHA