For the development of Turkey in agricultural sense as with all other areas, a new project meeting, which was performed by coming together with the stakeholders at home and abroad, took place at Atatürk University.

The meeting which was conducted within the Governor of Erzurum, hosted by Atatürk University Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Çomaklı and held under the presidency of AK Party Deputy Prof. Dr. Recep Akdağ and Erzurum Governor Okay Memiş was held by the participation of Metropolitan Municipality administrators, AK Party Provincial Chairman M. Emin Öz, Yakutiye Mayor Dr. Mahmut Uçar, Aytim Group of Companies Chairman Sevda Aydin and accompanying Green Bio Organic Bulgaria Foundation President Johannes H. A. Cools and Ataturk University academicians competent in organic agriculture.

The managers of Green Bio Organic Bulgaria Foundation, who came to Erzurum through the Sevda Aydın Foundation, will donate 1 million TL to the organic farming activities to be carried out under the coordination of the Governorship.

The President of the Foundation Johannes H. A. Cools, who gave a slide presentation to the audience at the meeting, said that they wanted to carry out the EU project on organic agriculture in Erzurum in the upcoming period.

Stating that organic agriculture production to be carried out in Erzurum and its region with various supports will yield positive results, A. Cools stated that Erzurum, which has fertile lands, is a region that should be considered in this regard.

 “We are Open to All Projects for the  Development of the City” 

Stating that this meeting was held in order to develop Erzurum in organic agriculture production as in many fields and invest in future, Governor Okay Memiş stated that Atatürk University's scientific data on agriculture and animal husbandry and the experience of academicians should be benefited. Okay Memiş, who said that all the institutions of Erzurum are open to all kinds of projects and collaborations for the development of the city, stated that the necessary support and convenience will be provided as the city's administrators.

 “Organic Agriculture Must Be Turned  into an Opportunity in terms of Economy”

Stating that agricultural products which are suitable for the soil and climate circumstances of Erzurum can be easily produced using the right methods, Minister Prof. Dr. Recep Akdağ emphasized that organic agriculture is highly demanded in today's city society. Stating that the production of organic agriculture has started to increase as a result of the increase in demand for organic products in recent years, Minister Akdağ said that the variety of products grown with organic agriculture has increased up to 200, and that organic products, which are in highly demanded especially in developed countries, should be turned into an opportunity for our country's economy.

 “We are ready for the project  with our Scientific and R&D Infrastructure”

Stating that they are pleased to be the stakeholders of such a study, Rector Prof. Dr. Çomaklı Ataturk that they are ready to give all kinds of support to this project as an academic human resource and technological infrastructure.

Pointing out that Atatürk University has significant success with such projects with its scientific and R&D infrastructure, Rector Çomaklı said that the university will show the same success in this project, and said: ‘‘The land where organic production will be made must be at a distance that will not be affected by the main roads, heavy industrial facilities, mining enterprises, areas where urban wastes are collectively left, streams and groundwater containing pollutant wastes. This situation makes Erzurum, which has vast agricultural land, fresh air and water, attractive.”

At the meeting, which continued as a question and answer after the speeches, the opinions of Atatürk University academicians were also asked. Stating that the university will support this project with all its infrastructure system and scientific experience, the academicians said that it must be worked out considering all the dynamics of the society.

Sevda Aydın Foundation administrators and representatives, who came to Erzurum for the meeting organized within the scope of Organic Agriculture Studies, visited Çomaklı in his office and exchanged ideas about the project of which the university was a stakeholder.

CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE 15.06.2020