Adana, Turkey's second-largest watermelon producer, is implementing a unique approach to safeguard the quality and brand value of its famous watermelons by establishing "raw watermelon teams." These teams, a collaboration between the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry and local agriculture chambers, are dedicated to preventing the harvest of underripe watermelons. Established in 2016, these teams are particularly active in districts with high watermelon cultivation, ensuring that only fully ripe watermelons are allowed to be harvested and sold. This initiative, which has been instrumental in avoiding the sale of raw watermelons, is part of a larger effort to maintain the quality and reputation of Adana's watermelons, a significant contributor to Turkey's production.