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May 6, 2026 - GTU Office of Press and Public Relations — The AGRIC project, coordinated by Gebze Technical University, has advanced to the final stage of the EU Agroecology Call 3. — The consortium led by Associate Professor Nurgül Kıtır-Şen has brought together prestigious institutions from Finland, Spain, Romania, and Denmark. — The project aims to optimize climate-resilient agricultural models through artificial intelligence and IoT sensor technologies. — With the support of Gebze Municipality and local stakeholders, academic research will directly engage with farmers through "Living Lab" sites.
The AGRIC project (Adaptive Plant Breeding Strategies for Agroecological Transition Using Existing Crop Genetic Resources), developed under the coordination of Gebze Technical University (GTU) and led internationally by Associate Professor Nurgül Kıtır-Şen, faculty member at the Institute of Earth and Marine Sciences and Deputy Director of the Smart Agriculture Research and Application Center, has achieved significant success by advancing to the final (full proposal) stage of the highly competitive evaluation process conducted within the scope of the European Union’s “Agroecology Partnership–3rd Joint Transnational Call (Agroecology Call 3).”
This achievement demonstrates not only the scientific strength of the project, but also GTU’s leadership as the coordinating institution and Associate Professor Nurgül Kıtır-Şen’s role as the overall coordinator managing the multinational consortium.
A Strong Multinational Consortium Coordinated from Türkiye The AGRIC project is being carried out under Türkiye’s coordination in partnership with prestigious institutions from Finland, Spain, Romania, and Denmark. By bringing together universities, research institutes, and public institutions, the consortium has established a multi-stakeholder and integrated innovation ecosystem.
The following institutions from Türkiye are also involved in the project: • Çukurova University (project partner) • Gebze Municipality • Kocaeli Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry under the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (associate stakeholder) • Atatürk Central Horticultural Research Institute under the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (associate stakeholder)
Their involvement has significantly strengthened the project’s local implementation capacity, field validation capability, and dissemination impact.
An Innovative Approach to Agroecological Transformation Rather than developing new crop varieties, the AGRIC project aims to establish low-input and climate-resilient agricultural models compatible with agroecological production systems by utilizing existing plant genetic resources.
Within the scope of the project, innovative approaches such as: • variety mixtures and intercropping systems, • reduction of chemical inputs, • climate-resilient production models, • participatory breeding (farmer-oriented selection processes) will be tested at Living Lab sites established in different countries.
AI-Supported Agriculture and Digital Integration The project also aims to monitor soil–plant–climate interactions in real time and optimize production systems through the integration of modern agricultural technologies, including: • IoT sensor systems, • remote sensing technologies, • artificial intelligence-based analytical models.
GTU’s Research Capacity Plays an Active Role The project is being shaped through the contributions of GTU’s strong academic staff. Researchers involved in the consortium include: • Professor Hakkı Baltacı – Institute of Earth and Marine Sciences • Professor Muhammet Uzuntarla – Department of Bioengineering reflecting the university’s interdisciplinary research capacity directly within the project.
Field Validation Through the Living Lab Approach The AGRIC project is not merely a theoretical study; it is based on the Living Lab approach, which tests developed solutions under real field conditions. Integrated with ongoing studies conducted at GTU, including: • AI-supported irrigation and fertilization systems, • rapid compost and organic fertilizer production technologies, • microbial fertilizer applications, the project ensures that research outcomes directly reach producers and are validated in practical field environments.
Final Stage and Expected Impact If funded following the final stage, the AGRIC project is expected to: • implement multi-centered field applications across Europe, • expand sustainable and low-input agricultural models, • develop low carbon-footprint production systems, • establish data-driven decision support mechanisms for policymakers.
Contribution to a Sustainable Future The AGRIC project is regarded as a strategic initiative at the European level in terms of combating climate change, protecting natural resources, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
This achievement, attained under the coordination of GTU, represents a significant milestone that further strengthens the university’s role as a global scientific leader. |
