An heirloom maize revived from 37 seeds in Nazımiye

A 29 September 2026 Milliyet report tells the story of Hıdır Bulut, a grower in Güzelpınar village, Nazımiye, Tunceli, who returned from Moscow and worked to multiply an old maize seed. According to the report, Bulut says only 37 seeds germinated from material that had spent years in a barn and was largely damaged by insects. He continued production by saving seed from those plants in later seasons. The description of the seeds as roughly 100 years old also comes from the grower; the report does not provide independent historical verification.

The story is about more than returning to a village: it focuses on conserving seed and bringing it back into cultivation. With so few seeds germinating, careful multiplication becomes especially important. The grower says he produces maize and honey, and that he avoids synthetic pesticides and fertilisers for the maize while using a local water source and animal manure. These are statements reported from the producer. The article does not establish that the products are certified organic; “natural production” is not the same as certification.

Reliable identification of an old seed’s age and variety requires records, comparison, and, where appropriate, expert review. When multiplying and sharing seed, recording plant traits, sowing and harvest dates, growing conditions, and changes across generations can help both growers and the conservation of local varieties. One grower’s experience can be inspiring, but by itself it does not prove a seed’s origin, purity, or performance in other regions.

The report also includes the grower’s own comments about honey analyses and consumer interest. Recommendations to use honey for people with health conditions are not repeated here; health decisions should rely on medical advice and verifiable analyses that comply with applicable rules.