Afşin Koçovası Sarımsağı

Afşin Koçovası Garlic is an agricultural product cultivated within the geographical boundaries of Afşin district, Kahramanmaraş Province, and belongs to the species Allium sativum L. The product has been registered as a “Geographical Indication” under the Industrial Property Law No. 6769 by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office and has been granted geographical indication protection as of 28 June 2021.

Product Description and Distinguishing Characteristics

Afşin Koçovası Garlic is propagated using cloves selected by producers from the previous harvest as seed material. The garlic is typically marketed in bundled or tied form after drying. The geographical area where it is grown, characterized by permeable low-moisture sandy-loamy soil and continental climatic conditions, contributes to its distinctive structure: purple-skinned large bulbs with densely arranged cloves.

Botanical and Physical Characteristics

• Leaf posture: Upright
• Leaf color: Light green
• Leaf structure: Medium length and width with a concave cross-section
• Flower stalk formation on pseudostem: Absent
• Bulb shape: Elliptical with cloves arranged below the neck
• Skull color: White/purple (bulb skin); purple (cloves skin)
• Skull thickness: Thin
• Number of cloves: 9–18
• Bulb weight: 61–88 g
• Clove flesh color: Cream/yellow
• Harvest time: Late season
• Dormancy period: Long

Its mineral content includes primarily potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca), as well as varying amounts of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and manganese (Mn).

Afşin Koçovası Garlic (DOOGA)

Production Method

Seed Material

Producers use cloves selected from the previous year’s harvest as seed material.

Soil Preparation

Deep tillage is carried out using a plow, disk harrow, and harrow. Rows are then marked out.

Planting

Planting activities take place between September and November.

• Row spacing: 20–40 cm
• Plant spacing within rows: 5–10 cm
• Seed quantity: 100–150 kg per decare
• Fertilization: 50 kg of DAP fertilizer per decare applied at planting, followed by two applications of urea fertilizer in spring.

Irrigation

Four to five irrigation sessions are carried out during the growing season depending on climatic conditions. Sprinkler irrigation is preferred.

Integrated Pest Management

An integrated pest management program using fungicides and herbicides is applied. Weed control is supported by manual weeding.

Harvest

Harvesting occurs between late June and July. It is performed manually or mechanically. After harvest, the product is left to dry in the field for four to five days.

Harvest of Koçovası Garlic (DOOGA)

Final Processing and Storage

After drying, the bulbs are trimmed, bundled, tied, and hung. The product is stored in cool and dry conditions. It is delivered to the final consumer in bundled or tied form.

Geographical Boundary and Monitoring

Geographical Boundary

The geographical boundary is limited to Afşin district of Kahramanmaraş Province.

Monitoring Scope

• Compliance with production methods
• Harvest, storage and preservation conditions
• Usage format of the geographical indication

Monitoring reports are submitted annually to the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office. In cases of non-compliance, appropriate measures are formally communicated to the relevant individual or institution.