The “Future Agriculture in the Context of Climate Change Workshop” was held in Antalya in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Seed Breeders Sub-Association.
During the workshop, which addressed the impacts of the global climate crisis on agriculture and efforts to mitigate these effects, the session on Tuesday, December 21 included the participation of Dr. Bekir Pakdemirli from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Hacı Ömer Güler, Chairman of the Board of the Seed Breeders Sub-Association, Mehmet Hasdemir, General Director of Plant Production at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (BÜGEM), Prof. Dr. Levent Kurnaz, Director of the Climate Change and Policy Implementation and Research Center at Boğaziçi University, Coşkun Yıldırım, Vice Chairman of the Board at Tabit Smart Agriculture Technologies Inc., Ahmet Katıksız, President of the Kop Youth Association, and Sezgin Karadeniz, Head of the Seed Department at BÜGEM.
Farming is the Most Important Profession!
At the workshop held at the Belek Tourism Center in Serik, Antalya, Tabit Vice Chairman Coşkun Yıldırım emphasized to participants that technology should be supported by accurate information and experts. While discussing global food security and the increasing difficulty of access to food, he highlighted that growth should be achieved through the efforts of farmers and businesspeople, underlining that farming is the most important profession!
Yıldırım shared how technology-supported agricultural production can increase farmers’ productivity and profitability.
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli noted that the world’s average temperature has increased by 1.1 degrees since the Industrial Revolution and stated:
“With this temperature rise, unprecedented disasters and significant changes in the water cycle are occurring. Due to the effects of climate change, agricultural productivity is expected to decrease by 10 to 25 percent by 2050. All this data shows us that agriculture, food, water, and forests will be among the sectors most affected by climate change. To meet the food needs of the world population in 2050, we will need to produce 60 percent more than today, using 15 percent more water for this production. We have reached a point where quality increases with the right seeds. These developments and future projections make it inevitable to establish a sustainable production structure based on self-sufficiency and the green economy.”
Those Who Do Not Protect Their Seeds Will Have No Role in the Future
Minister Pakdemirli emphasized that Turkey, being in the Mediterranean basin, will be among the countries most affected by climate change, and that the Ministry develops all policies considering these developments.
Describing seeds as the story of life and the expression of sustainability, the Minister said:
“Land is the body of the earth, and agriculture is the most beautiful green garment this body wears. This green garment is adorned with all colors, from the red of the apple, the orange of the orange, the purple of the eggplant, to the yellow of the quince. The seed is the first button of this garment. If we fasten this button incorrectly, fastening the other buttons becomes meaningless. Those who do not have seeds to plant today will have no role in the future; seeds are the most valuable treasure of agriculture, light in weight but heavy in value.”
Turkey is a Leader in Protected Agriculture
Governor Ersin Yazıcı began his speech by welcoming participants to Antalya, the capital of tourism, to discuss the future of Turkish agriculture and seed production:
“Our workshop will advance Turkish agriculture, especially seed production, by several steps. Antalya, with 680,000 beds, generates about one-third of Turkey’s tourism revenue. Just as Antalya is famous for tourism, it is equally famous as an ancient agricultural city. In protected agriculture, Turkey is in a leading position. We deliver vegetables and fruits consumed in every season from Antalya, Kumluca, Aksu, and Serik to you.”
Governor Yazıcı emphasized:
“Our farmers perform their work in a highly modern and excellent manner. We trust our farmers. We have a voice in seed production. Turkey’s largest seed companies are located in this city. We have world-class seed companies that will advance Turkish agriculture. Together, we will continue to rapidly advance both tourism and agriculture toward ambitious goals.”
After the workshop, Governor Ersin Yazıcı and Minister Bekir Pakdemirli visited Farminova Plant Factory in the Antalya Organized Industrial Zone, Europe’s largest vertical plant factory operating without soil or sunlight for 365 days. Chairman Can Hakan Karaca stated that the products grown using pesticide-free green technology at Farminova can be consumed by customers without washing.