A workshop on Determining Standards in Greenhouse Cultivation was held at Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ). The workshop, held in the MAKÜ Senate Hall, was attended by Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Hakan Öner, Akdeniz University Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kürklü, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Burdur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hakan Yoran, President of Burdur Chamber of Agriculture Kemal Kubilay, sector representatives, and academicians.
“Agriculture is No Longer an Amateur Job”
In the workshop, where the opening speech was made by Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar, the future of greenhouse cultivation in Burdur was discussed. Speaking about the work MAKÜ has done in the agriculture and livestock sector, Rector Dalgar said; “Our university's Center for Standardization and Certification in Agriculture and Livestock as you know we have initiated a study that is the first in Turkey regarding the certification of livestock enterprises. First, determining the standards of dairy cattle enterprises, that is, what should be the scientific ideal standards of an ideal cattle enterprise both from a scientific perspective and from a sectoral perspective? We determine these together with the sector and academicians and then turn it into an accredited program by TÜRKAK. In this context, our certification system, which we call good herd and good herd plus, for dairy cattle, followed by small ruminant livestock enterprises, has been accredited. We have obtained accreditation for free-range poultry, which we call free-range chicken. Currently, in 3 categories we are the first and only authorized certification body in Turkey accredited by TÜRKAK, we are the program owner. The process related to mediation continues, we have made our application. The field we call livestock is not independent of agricultural plant production. In this context, in the coming days, we are continuing our work to implement an important project within the framework of a focus excellence center model in the field of agriculture, which we are continuing to work on and will share with our relevant stakeholders. Agriculture is no longer an amateur job, it has become one of the sectors where it is most difficult to find labor. Therefore, agriculture must be done in the world within the framework of scientific approaches in scientific standards. We are continuing our work by expanding our focus a little on the agriculture side, which is one of the future sectors and one of the most important issues in the world. In this context, in recent years, we know that our Burdur has received very serious investments in greenhouse cultivation, which we call highland greenhouse cultivation. What should be the ideal standards, scientific standards of enterprises in greenhouse cultivation? After certain meetings and workshops, we want to determine this and then turn it into an accredited program again. We believe that in a world where food is so important, in a world where concepts like food terrorism are also talked about a lot, the products of enterprises certified by accredited, reliable organizations will be more valuable. With this understanding, with this foresight, we are conducting these studies. Our desire is that in the future, enterprises engaged in greenhouse cultivation should document that they are doing this work in an ideal way, as it should be, so that the criteria regarding the suitability of the product produced in the area where greenhouse cultivation is done for human health also come to the fore. In this context, our initiatives and efforts as a university will continue for its recognition by the Ministry and for production in the field to be carried out accordingly.”
Akdeniz University Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kürklü stated that he would support with his expertise as an expert on the subject. Deputy Chairman of the Board of Burdur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hakan Yoran also emphasized that what can be done in terms of greenhouse cultivation in Burdur will be researched, and that greenhouse cultivation is developing in the districts of Burdur.
President of Burdur Chamber of Agriculture Kemal Kubilay also stated that greenhouse cultivation has developed in Burdur in recent years and that when greenhouse production in Antalya ends, it starts in Burdur, especially in Karamanlı, Tefenni, Çavdır, Bucak, and İnsuyu locations, greenhouse cultivation is in good places, especially in tomato cultivation, world-class production is being done. He expressed that more work needs to be done for Burdur and its region to advance in greenhouse cultivation, and with these efforts, it will reach better places.
The workshop continued with the presentation of Akdeniz University Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kürklü after the opening speeches. The workshop ended with exchanges of ideas and presentations on raising the standards of greenhouse cultivation.
