In a bold stride towards modernizing its agricultural sector, the city of İzmir, Turkey, has unveiled an ambitious project that could revolutionize farming in the region. The İzmir Agricultural Technology Center (İTTM), established by the İzmir Commodity Exchange, is poised to become the agricultural equivalent of Silicon Valley, fostering innovation and commercialization of agricultural projects.
Under the leadership of Işınsu Kestelli, the head of the İzmir Commodity Exchange, İTTM aims to drive the digital transformation of Turkey’s agricultural sector. This transformation is seen as one of the most significant structural changes for the country, with the center serving as a hub for testing smart agriculture applications in real-world settings. By doing so, İTTM seeks to attract youth to the agricultural sector and agricultural technology, offering enterprises various tax breaks and incentives to stimulate growth.
One of the key objectives of İTTM is to bridge the gap between academia and the private sector in agriculture. This collaboration is expected to catalyze the development of technological agriculture focused on information and communication, ultimately leading to a more sustainable, competitive, and efficient agricultural sector. The center’s efforts are geared towards creating a thriving agricultural entrepreneurship ecosystem, positioning Turkey as a global leader in agricultural innovation.
Turkey, already one of the top 10 agricultural producers worldwide, is eager to overcome its challenges and set a new benchmark for the industry. Kestelli emphasized the dedicated efforts to achieve this goal, highlighting the center’s potential to transform Turkish agriculture. Scheduled to launch officially during the upcoming spring period, İTTM is set to play a pivotal role in reshaping the agricultural landscape of Turkey. With its focus on innovation, collaboration, and sustainability, the center promises to drive the sector forward, making Turkey a model nation in agricultural technology.
