The Faculty of Agriculture organized an event to mark the 20th anniversary of our university's founding and the 180th anniversary of agricultural education in Turkey. The program held on January 12, 2026 at the Ahi Evran Conference Hall of the University's Faculty of Science and Literature, and was attended by the Member of the Agricultural and Food Policies Board of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey Prof. Dr. Aykut Gül, Rector of Ahi Evran University Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, Kırşehir Deputy Governor Alper Balcı, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Şimşek, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture Prof. Dr. Selahattin Çınar, Kırşehir Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Bülent Zafer Taş, Kırşehir Chamber of Agriculture President Mevlüt Toprak, as well as academic and administrative staff and students.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Selahattin Çınar, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, emphasized that agriculture today is not merely a field of production but a strategic national security issue. He stated that agricultural education should prioritize quality, application, and adaptation to social needs over quantity. Noting that global issues such as climate change, diminishing water resources, and food security have redefined the mission of agricultural education, Çınar stressed that an educational approach centered on the protection of natural resources and sustainability has become imperative.

Following Prof. Dr. Selahattin Çınar, President of the Kırşehir Chamber of Agriculture Mevlüt Toprak emphasized that agricultural production is not merely an economic activity, but a strategic field directly related to a country's future and independence. Stating that sustainability in agriculture is possible through knowledge, planning, and university-field collaboration, Toprak said that the Kırşehir Chamber of Agriculture aims to create a permanent working culture that brings producers together with academia, inviting young people to see agriculture as the profession of the future.

Subsequently, Director of Agriculture and Forestry for Kırşehir Province Bülent Zafer Taş delivered a speech emphasizing that the 180th anniversary of agricultural education represents a historic turning point where knowledge meets the soil, and that agricultural knowledge and planning are of vital importance today, when global issues such as climate change, water scarcity, and food security are on the rise. Stating that Turkey holds a strong position in the world with its agricultural output exceeding $75 billion, Taş said that this success was made possible by the joint efforts of agricultural engineers, academics, and producers, and that agricultural faculties are strategic think tanks shaping the future of agriculture.

Following Bülent Zafer Taş, Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil stated that agriculture is not merely a production activity; it is also a civilization-building field shaped by the relationship between humans and nature, emphasizing that the history of agriculture is actually the history of humanity. Rector Karahocagil stated that climate change, limited water resources, pandemics, and geopolitical tensions have once again highlighted a very clear reality, emphasizing that agriculture is a strategic sector today, just as it was yesterday, and has even become an integral part of national security. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil stated that Faculty of Agriculture of Ahi Evran University is not merely a vocational training unit but a strategic center that guides the agricultural future and development of the region, producing knowledge and strategies. He added that young agricultural engineers have important responsibilities in ensuring food security and establishing a sustainable approach to agriculture.

Following the opening speeches, Member of the Turkish Presidency's Agriculture and Food Policy Council Prof. Dr. Aykut Gül delivered a speech titled “Food Security and an Organized Future in Agriculture,” emphasizing that food has historically been the most strategic element determining the fate of armies and ensuring the survival of states, and that today, food security has become as important as energy and defense, and often even more important. Using the example of the Qatar blockade, Gül stated that access to food directly affects a country's existence and expressed that Turkey is a strategic actor at the regional and global levels with its food production power and logistics capacity. Prof. Dr. Aykut Gül also touched upon the effects of climate change, drought, and epidemics on agricultural production, stating that agriculture has now become not only a means of production but also a tool of “agricultural diplomacy,” and that Turkey's soft power is increasing with local production, local vaccines, and cross-border agricultural cooperation.

The program continued with a gift presentation to guest speaker Prof. Dr. Aykut Gül by Kırşehir Deputy Governor Alper Balcı, following his speeches. During the event, certificates of appreciation were presented to the academics who contributed to the music recital performed by the faculty members of our University's Neşet Ertaş Faculty of Fine Arts.

In the latter part of the program, certificates of appointment were presented to academics who had undergone title changes and newly joined our university during the 2025 Academic Year. Certificates of appreciation were also awarded to academics who contributed to our university's academic success through their national and international scientific work conducted during the same year. Students who prepared projects under the TÜBİTAK 2209 Student Projects program and their faculty advisors were also honored with certificates of appreciation. In addition, awards were presented to students who placed in the essay contest titled “The Key to Food Safety and a Sustainable Future: Agricultural Engineering.”

Following the event, Member of the Turkish Presidency's Agriculture and Food Policy Council Prof. Dr. Aykut Gül visited Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil at his office. During the visit to the Rector's office, Rector Karahocagil was accompanied by Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Şimşek and Prof. Dr. Ali Güneş, Secretary General Dr. Hüseyin İlter, and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture Prof. Dr. Selahattin Çınar. During the cordial visit, ideas were exchanged about agricultural studies in our country and at universities.