Tech Revolutionizing Agriculture in Turkey – Recent Updates
Duygu Erdogan / Istanbul – When it comes to technology and initiative in Turkey, the first places that come to mind are ‘technoparks’ in universities. Then there are Tekmer, including industry and production. Institutions such as TUBITAK and KOSGEB also provide support packages to entrepreneurs. İzmir Commodity Exchange has signed a new formation in order to support the initiatives in agricultural fields and to enlarge the commercial side on the commercial side. So what is planned? With this project, young people’s interest in agriculture and agricultural technologies will be increased. At the same time, entrepreneurs will be able to benefit from various tax reduction and incentive elements within the scope of the R & D project. Smart agricultural practices will be tested in real environment. A target is the connection of the academy and the private sector in agriculture.
İşınsu Kestelli, Chairman of the Board of Directors of İzmir Commodity Exchange, stated that the formation of İzmir Agricultural Technology Center (İTM) represents a first in the country and said, “We have determined the problems, deficiencies, needs and the future by speaking with all stakeholders of the sector. With the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, we turned the facilities of the International Agricultural Research and Education Center in Menemen the main base of the project. We renewed the facility. We have created a contemporary working area for both individual entrepreneurs and corporate investors.”
There are giant partners
Farmologist, Orbiba, Localvore and Webagron ITM were the first selected initiatives. After new applications, the number of initiatives will increase. In order to provide financing, Kestelli reminded that İş Bankası, Ziraat Bank and Denizbank are among the partners of the project.
“First we have made our center attractive in terms of investment with the status of Tekmer. We offer serious support. We believe that ITM will be an institution that determines the direction in the sector, in a sense that agriculture will be the Silicon Valley.”
Kestelli said that Turkey, one of the world’s 10 major agricultural producers, is working to make it an exemplary country by rapidly leaving behind the problems in agriculture. It will gather all the stakeholders of the sector under the same roof and will develop solutions specific to Turkey for Turkish agriculture with the identity of ‘Living Laboratory’. From here we will extend to the days where we can produce agricultural technology abroad. We think that this project will serve as an important leverage in the change and transformation of Turkish agriculture.
GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO ENTREPRENEUR
1-) Young people’s interest in agriculture and agricultural technologies will be increased. In addition to the office, laboratory and field support will be offered.
2-) They will be able to benefit from various tax reduction and incentive elements within the scope of R & D project. These are insurance premium support, income tax withholding support, stamp tax exception, R & D design discount and customs tax exception.
3-) Smart agricultural practices will be tested in real life environment.
4-) Connections with the Academy and the private sector will be established.
5-) Farmologist, Orbiba, Localvore and Webagron ITM were the first selected initiatives. After new applications, the number of initiatives will increase.
Fig, olives, grapes and bees clustering
İzmir Commodity Exchange Secretary General Erçin Güdücü said, “We have stakeholders who have added value such as private sector, public, universities and farmers in a structure that started to operate two weeks ago. Fig, olives, grapes and bee research groups are ready. We also do technological mentoring. We provide training to farmers and students.”
