Production technologies and infrastructure renovation works have been completed in the Research Center (GHUAM) by Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Çomaklı, Food and Animal Husbandry Application and Agriculture, established in 2017  in order to apply and develop new methods in food, animal husbandry practices and research, to introduce them to producers and students, to establish cooperation mechanisms that will contribute to regional and national development and to make them sustainable.

Within the scope of the renovation works, the physical structures of the two cattle farmings, sheep farming, beekeeping, poultry and milk and bread factories were regulated and production technologies were modernized.

While the existing units for food production, which are among the priority areas within the framework of the new generation university vision, are being renewed, activities such as increasing the efficiency of research, application, education and extension activities to be carried out on food and animal husbandry issues, activities such as education-training, examination, internship, project and thesis work. Providing support, it was aimed to teach the regional producers and industrialists the applied methods of producing higher quality milk and cereals as role models.

Works for Animal Health and Welfare Continue

Rector Çomaklı stated that they closely follow the technological developments in order to increase the share of the region in the agriculture and livestock sector and the global production and trade in the light of the projects that he has put into practice and said: We aimed to increase their service and production capacities. We renewed many physical places, including the headquarters administrative building, and put them into service. We carried out modernization studies in many points from the security system, machinery park, paddocks, milking equipment and filling tanks in cattle breeding units where there are 400 bovine animals. To improve animal health and well-being, we have organized crawl areas, arranged animal infirmary, and created hygienic foot baths to address animal foot problems.”

Rector Çomaklı emphasized that sheep farming was especially emphasized in the farmer training programs (TARBİLEM), which was carried out in cooperation with Atatürk University and the DAP Regional Development Administration, and stated that the opportunities that have been ignored so far should be taken into consideration by stating the advantageous aspects of the region in sheep farming. Our cultural aspects, our local variety, the shorter breeding time of the sheep compared to the cattle, the high yield, the high ability to feed, Erzurum and its surroundings are suitable for sheep breeding in terms of pasture. We always stand by our farmers in sheep contribution from the university."

Rector Çomaklı, who stated that they started to carry out important projects in order to increase productivity in sheep breeding through qualified breeding production, prevention of lamb losses and breeding, and for this purpose, they carried out a number of physical arrangements and technological modernization studies for R&D in the current sheep farming sector. He said that all the paddock was renewed in the unit, the resting and irrigation areas of the animals were divided and arranged, and new laboratories that would be the basis for scientific studies were created and their equipment was provided.

 Milk and Bread Factory Has Been Renewed

Within the scope of the New Generation University Design and Transformation Project, Dairy Factory's modernization works have been completed and the factory has increased its production potential and diversity with the latest system machinery and equipment. “Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points System” (HACCP) was put into operation at the factory, where high hygiene conditions suitable for food safety were provided. Rector Çomaklı, who made a statement about these studies, stated that the infrastructure was provided for postgraduate studies and research projects related to food and that research facilities were offered for the related faculties in the R&D laboratories established at the factory. Rector Çomaklı, who stated that the factory has become an important application center for students, added that with the modernization study, an ideal environment for undergraduate students from the relevant departments of our university was created for the course applications and students could find the opportunity to recognize and manufacture the latest system machinery and equipment.

Daily 5 Tons of Milk are Processed, 10 Thousands of Bread are Produced

Rector Çomaklı stated that they produce pasteurized milk, yoghurt, probiotic yogurt, butter, buttermilk, ice cream and Civil cheese in the pilot milk factory where 5 tons of milk is processed daily and said that they have also made some initiatives to increase the product range. Rector Çomaklı, who explained that they started the production of cheddar cheese at the factory, said that the products in question were offered for sale in the canteen and also sent to the research hospital.

Rector Çomaklı reminded that they produce an average of 10 thousand rolls per day in another factory connected to the center. Erzurum Metropolitan Mayor Mehmet Sekmen, who visited the factory where the bread need of the university hospital was met recently, congratulated the GHUAM team for their work.

Products are presented to the consumers with their new brands

Within the scope of the branding process of the Food and Livestock Application and Research Center, the products whose packaging studies have been completed under the brand name “Ata Uni Farm Products” are presented to the consumers with the new brand and labels as a result of the studies of the Brand Unit under the Corporate Communication Directorate of Atatürk University (KID). The products are offered for sale under the brand Ata Uni Farm with the packaging and bottling systems established in the beekeeping unit where 3-4 tons of honey is produced annually with the automatic collection and dating machines, where 4,200 eggs are produced daily.

 University - Farmer Cooperation Continues

 Rector Çomaklı noted that GHUAM undertook an important mission within the framework of Atatürk University's social contribution understanding.

He added that he collaborated with the Transfer Office (ATA-TTO) with regional industrialists and farmers, and held meetings and visits regularly to carry out joint projects. Rector Çomaklı stated that the steps taken to reduce the imports of breeding materials, which put a great burden on the country's economy, and the efforts to encourage and embryo transfer to live breeding, are also very pleased with the interest of the farmer in the region.

CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE - 30.05.2020