As corn cultivation decreased, century-old mills became inoperable.

Water mills, which were once intensely active, especially in rural areas, have recently declined rapidly in number with the decrease in corn cultivation.

Halil İbrahim Alemdar, 59, stated that their business has decreased since there is not much corn cultivation today, and that milling has come to an end. Alemdar noted that he started operating the mill, which was built in 1930 in the Erenler District of Trabzon’s Araklı district, after the death of his father, and stated that his work had come to an end due to the lack of corn cultivation.

“THERE IS NO ONE WHO WILL CONTINUE THE PROFESSION AFTER US”

Stating that their business was very good about 40 years ago, but that the business has declined rapidly in recent years, Alemdar said, “I have been doing this profession since my childhood. After my father passed away, I started running the mill. The mill was built in 1930, and I continue the profession as the second generation. 40 Years ago, our business was very good, but it has declined over time. Now it is almost finished. The reason is that most of us have planted hazelnuts, so our business has also declined. We usually grind corn, but now we also have wheat. I think the number of mills is decreasing not only here, but also in Turkey. We can say that the number of mills in Trabzon has decreased on the fingers of one hand. 40 years ago, there were only 8 mills in this area that will continue this profession. There is no one. It will be completely over after me. I have children, but they have no inclination for this profession. Those who do this profession will not go hungry, but they will not get far. “Because there is no one planting corn, it does not provide much economic return,” he said.