The 179th anniversary of agricultural education and training in Turkiye was celebrated through a collaborative event organized by Kırşehir Ahi Evran University and the Kırşehir Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry. Held on January 10, 2025, at the 15 July National Will Hall of the Ahi Evran Congress and Culture Center, the program was attended by the 66th Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs Prof. Dr. Vahit Kirişci; Kırşehir Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek; Kırşehir Chief Public Prosecutor Oğuz Şükrü Ener; Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil; Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ali Güneş; Secretary General Dr. Hüseyin İlter; Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Mustafa İlmeç; chamber presidents; academic and administrative staff; and students.
Before the program, the 66th Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs Prof. Dr. Vahit Kirişci visited Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil in his office. During the meeting, which took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, the university's agricultural activities, projects in this field, and its position in Turkiye's agriculture sector were discussed.
The program began with an opening speech by the Dean of KAEU Faculty of Agriculture Prof. Dr. Selahattin Çınar, who provided an overview of the historical development of agricultural education in Turkiye. Highlighting the importance of agriculture in human life, Çınar noted that agricultural products are also used as raw materials in industry and manufacturing. Emphasizing that Turkiye is an agricultural country, Prof. Dr. Selahattin Çınar stated that agricultural engineers play a vital role in the agricultural activities of the country. He celebrated the 179th Anniversary of Agricultural Education and Training in Turkiye and Agricultural Engineers Day, expressing his gratitude to everyone who contributed to organizing the event.
Following Prof. Dr. Selahattin Çınar, Kırşehir Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Mustafa İlmeç shared information about the agricultural activities of Turkiye. He emphasized that Turkiye ranks among the leading countries globally in the production of agricultural products and highlighted the significant contributions of agricultural engineers to the development of agricultural production. Highlighting that Kırşehir is one of the prominent provinces in the agricultural sector, Mustafa İlmeç also celebrated the 179th Anniversary of Agricultural Education and Training in Turkiye and Agricultural Engineers Day.
Following the remarks of Kırşehir Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Mustafa İlmeç, Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil took the floor, emphasizing the significance of agriculture throughout human history. Rector Karahocagil highlighted the crucial role agricultural activities played in the transition to a settled lifestyle and noted that Kırşehir is in an agricultural region. He mentioned that Kırşehir Ahi Evran University has implemented pilot projects in the field of agriculture, including initiatives like Forage Production, Walnut-Oriented Growth and Development, and Geothermal Greenhouse Projects, all of which contribute significantly to the region. Prof. Dr. Karahocagil also stated that the university produces aromatic plants and provided detailed insights into the activities of the Faculty of Agriculture. He celebrated the 179th Anniversary of Agricultural Education and Training in Turkiye and Agricultural Engineers Day, expressing gratitude to those who contributed to organizing the program.
Kırşehir Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek expressed his pleasure in attending the program at the university, commemorating the 179th Anniversary of Agricultural Education and Training in Turkiye. He emphasized the importance of agriculture for Turkiye, a country with a strong agricultural foundation, and highlighted the need to develop and strengthen agricultural activities. Governor Demiryürek noted that agricultural engineers and scientists play significant roles in this effort. He concluded by thanking those involved in organizing the program and extending his congratulations on Agricultural Engineers Day.
Following the opening speeches, Prof. Dr. Vahit Kirişci, the 66th Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs, delivered a presentation titled "Agricultural Engineering in the Century of Türkiye." In his talk, Prof. Dr. Vahit Kirişci addressed issues such as population clustering and the uneven distribution of population in Turkiye, emphasizing the importance of balanced population distribution for global development. He noted that agriculture remains an indispensable sector, highlighting the importance of mechanization in modern agricultural activities, which are no longer performed with basic tools like shovels and picks. At the end of his speech, Prof. Dr. Kirişci stressed the agricultural significance of certain rural regions, remarking, "Bloom where you are planted.". He concluded by thanking those who organized the program and celebrating the 179th Anniversary of Agricultural Education and Training in Turkiye and Agricultural Engineers Day.
The program continued with a musical performance by faculty members of KAEU Neşet Ertaş Faculty of Fine Arts. Following this, awards and certificates were presented by the protocol members to academics in the Faculty of Agriculture who had title changes in the 2023-2024 academic year, those who contributed to national and international scientific studies, academics whose projects were supported, and students who ranked in the writing competition.
The program commemorating the 179th Anniversary of Agricultural Education and Training in Turkiye concluded with a group photo.
