As TÜBİTAK UZAY, we took part in the 2nd Phase Launch Ceremony of the GAP Precision Agriculture Project, which was implemented to disseminate precision agriculture technologies and support sustainable agricultural practices. The event, held on November 22, 2024 at the GAP Agricultural Research Institute, was attended by Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Minister of Industry and Technology, and İbrahim Yumaklı, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı emphasized that the GAP region is an important center in Turkey's food supply security with its fertile soils and stated that investments in the region have gained great momentum in the last 22 years.
"The Power of Technology Accompanies the Sound of Nature"
In his speech, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır stated that a rich data set for agriculture was created with satellite images and hyperspectral camera data obtained in the first phase of the GAP Precision Agriculture Project. Minister Kacır shared the following information about the GAP Precision - Smart Agriculture Application, which is domestic and national software:
"In the light of the data we obtained, we launched GAP Precision, our domestic and national software that will bring the sweat of our farmers' brow together with the power of technology, speak the language of the soil, and unravel the secret of its fertility. We completed the innovative interface integrated into the e-Government platform that will facilitate the implementation of precision agriculture in the field and put it into the service of our producers as of the end of August. Now, our farmers have the opportunity to determine the correct harvest date and the amount of fertilizer they should use through this software without using any additional equipment in the field. Our farmers will no longer be guided by the voice of nature, but also by the opportunities offered by technology.
We have also started work on creating a decision support mechanism that our farmers will actively use in the coming period by monitoring approximately 200 thousand decares of land with satellite images. In addition, we are training advisors who will guide our farmers to use technology more effectively in agricultural production with the GAP Precision Agriculture Project Fusion Center. We will continue to implement all projects and programs that will increase the fertility of our region and make these precious ancient lands the production center of the future with determination."
Plaque Presented to TÜBİTAK UZAY
During the event, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır and Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı presented a plaque to Remote Sensing Group Leader Dr. Kaan Kalkan on behalf of TÜBİTAK UZAY, in recognition of TÜBİTAK UZAY's contributions to the GAP Precision Agriculture Project.
Turkey's First National Precision Agriculture Application
As TÜBİTAK UZAY, we have successfully completed the design and algorithm development work for GAP Precision - Smart Agriculture Application, Turkey's first national precision agriculture application within the scope of the GAP Precision Agriculture Project. This innovative application aims to increase productivity and reduce costs by ensuring more efficient use of agricultural inputs (fertilizer, water, pesticides, etc.).
Sustainable Agriculture with Space Technologies
At our booth at the ceremony, we introduced our earth observation satellites, our know-how in precision agriculture technologies, and our remote sensing and image processing capabilities. As TÜBİTAK UZAY, we aim to contribute to a sustainable future by using our space technologies effectively in agricultural fields. We are proud to support our country's progress in agriculture and technology by continuing to develop innovative solutions, as in the GAP Precision Agriculture Project.
