Atatürk University not only delivers training programs for farmers but also provides them with direct access to university laboratories, plant stocks, experimental plots, and applied technology facilities to strengthen sustainable farming practices and food security.
Access to Specialized Laboratories
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Local farmers and food producers can submit their agricultural and animal products for quality, safety, and nutritional testing at the Food and Animal Research and Application Center (Gıda ve Hayvancılık Araştırma ve Uygulama Merkezi). Here, advanced laboratory facilities allow analysis of milk, meat, feed, cereals, vegetables, and processed foods.
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Producers also have the option to use specialized laboratories under DAYTAM (Doğu Anadolu Yüksek Teknoloji Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi). DAYTAM hosts cutting-edge equipment for molecular biology, food technology, and chemical/physical analysis, enabling farmers and SMEs to validate product quality, improve safety standards, and access technology that would otherwise be unavailable to them.
Crop Production and Training Facilities
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The Crop Production Application and Research Center (Bitkisel Üretim Merkezi) and its affiliated Farmer Training Center open their classrooms, greenhouses, and field plots to local farmers. Farmers regularly join training programs on sustainable crop production, organic fertilizer use, integrated pest management, irrigation methods, and composting techniques.
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Demonstration plots (e.g. for aromatic and medicinal plants) are actively used as open-air learning labs where producers can see innovative crops and farming practices in real conditions.
Knowledge and Technology Sharing via ATA Teknokent
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ATA Teknokent provides local agri-food firms and cooperatives with access to pilot-scale R&D offices, prototyping workshops, and agricultural sensor technologies, helping transfer innovations from the university to the production field.
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Through ATAÜNİ-SAN (University–Industry Collaboration), the university ensures that small-scale producers benefit from technologies developed by its researchers and partner firms.
Integration with Regional Agricultural Development
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By combining laboratory access, applied training, demonstration plots, and technology transfer, Atatürk University plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between scientific research and rural practice.
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Farmers gain reliable tools to test their products, validate food safety, enhance productivity, and adopt sustainable practices without bearing the prohibitive costs of private lab services.
Impact
These initiatives ensure that local producers are not only trained but also empowered with the facilities of a major research university. By allowing farmers to use labs like the Food and Animal Research Center and DAYTAM, and by welcoming them to the Farmer Training Center, Atatürk University directly contributes to improved food quality, sustainable production, and rural economic resilience.
