With the GTU project, a truly revolutionary agricultural production was carried out, eliminating the foreign dependence of the country's agriculture.

Under the scientific guidance of Gebze Technical University (GTU), which continues to be a solution partner in agricultural production, the first product was harvested within the scope of the ‘Darıca New Generation Technological System Organomineral Soilless Agriculture R&D Greenhouse’ project. The Mayor of Kocaeli City, Assoc. Dr. Tahir Büyükakın, the provincial district governor of Darıca, Yüksel Kara, the Rector of GTU, Prof. Dr. Hacı Ali Mantar, the Advisor to the Rector of GTU, Prof. Dr. Ebubekir Yüksel, the Director of GTU ATAM, Prof. Dr. Yelda Özden Çiftçi, Darıca District Agriculture Director, provincial and district protocols, greenhouse farmers and citizens attended the harvest ceremony in Darıca, Kocaeli.

The results of the studies on soilless agriculture, vertical farming and biotechnological agriculture conducted under the scientific guidance of the Director of Smart Agriculture Research and Application Centre (GTU ATAM) of Gebze Technical University and faculty member of the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Prof. Dr. Yelda Özden Çiftçi, continue to add value to agriculture and agricultural production in the country. Within the scope of the project, which is carried out under the coordination of Darıca the provincial district governorship , Kocaeli Municipality, Darıca Municipality, Darıca Provincial Agriculture Directorate and GTU ATAM Scientific Consultancy, the first harvest of the planted tomatoes was harvested two months ago. As part of the project, which was carried out with the support of the academic study by the supporting and implementing institutions, the system installed in a 1 decare greenhouse was used to plant tomatoes in areas unsuitable for agriculture.

The fact that the volcanic slag comes from our country will reduce dependence on foreign countries in soilless agriculture and lead to a significant reduction in production costs. The content of the slag used and the absence of toxic effects on human and plant health were determined by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Salim Öncel, Director of the Institute of Earth and Marine Sciences of our university, and his team. The development of the tomato seedlings, which were planted after the proof of harmlessness, was supported by inorganic and organic nutrients. Another special feature of the greenhouse, in which rainwater is collected and fed into the irrigation and feed tank through filtration and UV light, is that the irrigation and feed used is returned to the tank after it has been transferred to the seedlings using drip irrigation. The electrical conductivity and pH values are checked and adjusted to the appropriate values and then reused for plant nutrition. This recycling ensures the controlled use of water in our country, where water resources are gradually diminishing. At the same time, it enables more products to be obtained with less water and fertiliser and supports waste-free production.

After the harvest, the results of the project will be translated into scientific publications and the use of the system will be popularised through training courses for farmers. GTU Rector Prof. Dr. Hacı Ali Mantar, who attended the first harvest, stated that our university will continue to carry out such projects that touch society and provide solutions to the needs of the country: The use of technology in agricultural production and the support of the community and the district governor for academic studies are very important. In fact, these good results are the result of collaboration.

The Mayor of Kocaeli City, Assoc. Dr. Tahir Büyükakın emphasised that Gebze Technical University is a university of Kocaeli and provides solutions to the problems of the region, "The most brilliant aspect of this system is that it eliminates dependence on imports and is indigenous, and we will pave the way for innovative applications in agriculture with Gebze Technical University.

The provincial district governor of Darıca, Yüksel Kara and GTU ATAM Director Prof. Dr. Yelda Özden Çiftçi explained the technical features and advantages of the system. The greenhouse was then inspected with representatives of the press and the first products were collected. From now on, the GTU will continue to work on the use of slag, which is generated in many sectors in our country and is difficult to dispose of, in agricultural production with the system developed in this project.

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