HALUK OKUTUR: A 100 BILLION DOLLARS OF AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS IS NOT A DREAM
Haluk Okutur, Chairman of the Board of Istanbul Grain, Pulses, Oil Seeds and Products Exporters' Association (İHBİR), said that 100 billion dollars for agricultural product exports is not a dream...
May 11, 2020,
Emphasizing that the world is rapidly moving towards a new era that will take shape over food technologies, İHBİR Chairman Haluk Okutur said, “Processing, packaging, branding and adding our agricultural products that we grow in the fertile lands of this beautiful country and we can have it valuable and make a very important contribution to the export figures of our country. 100 billion dollars in the export of agricultural products is not a dream. Digital agriculture will also put the reverse migration into effect."
The importance of local and national production...
Drawing attention to the aim of ensuring sustainable, efficient and quality management in agricultural production, Okutur explained, “In our country, intensive studies are carried out on increasing productivity and product quality in agriculture, food safety and environmental protection. During the pandemic process, we once again realized that agricultural products, food adequacy, sustainability, local and national production are also very important. In line with all these works, the improved product quality with the use of agricultural technologies will minimize the negative effects on the environment and will ensure efficiency in production. When the hardware and software emerging with the development of technology are evaluated together with the knowledge and experience in agriculture, it will be possible to facilitate agricultural processes and to bring alternative solutions to problems that await solutions. Besides with the adoption of modern agriculture based on productivity, price fluctuations over time will be minimized and digital agriculture will grow in our country thanks to digitalization."
Usage of smart devices in agriculture...
Pointing out that digital agriculture will also implement reverse migration, Okutur added, "Now, high-tech tractors, sensors and smart vehicles are used in the fields. With digitalization, smart tools are analyzed by collecting data. These applications aim at maximizing yields by also showing the weather conditions, minerals needed by plants and irrigation, soil condition, estimated harvest time and also facilitating the producer's work. In line with all these developments, it will be the young population between the ages of 24 and 30 who keep up with the digital age, with the transition to digital agriculture. The average age of 54 working in agriculture at the moment will also change."
"When we catch the digital age, we will encourage the young population to work in the fields, gardens and farms. When our fertile lands and favourable climate are blended with science and technology, our farmers will lead a more prosperous life and their attachment to the soil will increase. If we take advantage of the developing technologies and young population in this way, our country will take a big step towards becoming a leader country in agriculture in a short time," Okutur concluded...
Mr. Okutur does make a very valid point in his closing lines. We have to blend science and technology with agriculture. But we also have to put traditional methods to use. I once had this patient at our Rehabilitation centre in Chennai who was a farmer. He spoke of many brilliant agricutural methods that he was following. It was treasure that had been handed down for generations.
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