Trakya Agricultural Research Institute Serves as "National Coordinator"

The Trakya Agricultural Research Institute, established in Edirne in 1923 under the name "Fidanlık" and operating under different names over time, contributes to agricultural production by serving as "national coordinator" in rice breeding studies.

The institute conducts research in product groups determined taking into account the region's agricultural characteristics, and carries out breeding and adaptation studies on rice, sunflower, wheat and barley plants, which are grown as main crops in Thrace. Institute Director Assoc. Prof. Adnan Tülek: "Rice breeding studies were initiated in our country in the 1960s and numerous varieties were developed. To date, our institute has developed 80 varieties and made them available to Turkish farmers," he said. Tülek stated that research and development activities continue uninterrupted: "Considering rice seed production in Turkey, the share of rice varieties developed by our institute meets 50% of certified seed production domestically. The Osmancık variety developed by our institute in 1997 rapidly entered production areas after the 2000s. It has found planting area covering 80-90% of production areas. Currently it is produced in many places both domestically and abroad. In addition, the share of other rice varieties we have developed is quite significant," he said.

Tülek noted that the varieties developed by the institute have also drawn interest abroad, with 1 variety registered in Bulgaria, 4 in North Macedonia, and 6 in Ukraine.

Tülek stated that they conduct studies according to consumer demands, saying, "Sometimes we develop different types according to demands. We have a variety called black rice, which is black-colored. Such varieties can be preferred by different consumer groups. We also have varieties called aromatic. We have rice varieties similar to Indica-type varieties produced in the Far East," he said. Explaining that water is important in rice cultivation and that they have developed different production methods accordingly, Tülek continued: "Turkey produces 1 million tons of rice annually. Of this, 45% is supplied by Edirne. Therefore, we are an important rice production center. One of the most important factors limiting rice cultivation is water scarcity. As a result of recent studies we have conducted, new rice farming studies are being carried out using drip irrigation systems. Within this scope, in many areas, even in hilly areas, rice farming can be conducted economically through drip irrigation methods if irrigation is available."     Source: www.aa.com.tr