Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), stated that they will continue to train experts who will combine technology with production and shape the future of agriculture with innovative programs such as Precision Agriculture and Agricultural Robots.
According to the statement made by YÖK, changing climate conditions, limited natural resources and accelerating digitalization are carrying agriculture and animal husbandry into a new era where robotics and autonomous systems are at the center.
The inadequacy of traditional production methods in the face of changing world dynamics makes the use of many technologies in agricultural production widespread, from smart sensors to data analytics, from autonomous systems to smart barn and greenhouse models.
Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University (NÖHÜ) Department of Precision Agriculture and Agricultural Robotics aims to train technology-savvy agricultural professionals needed by the sector by combining traditional agriculture with artificial intelligence, computer science and robotics. While students support their theoretical knowledge with applications for smart greenhouse systems, crop production and animal production, they are introduced to new technologies that will increase productivity in agriculture and ensure effective use of resources.
Academicians, industry representatives and students state that precision agriculture and agricultural robots are one of the important fields of work of the future, and that young people trained in this field will build a bridge between agriculture and technology.
"We will continue to train experts who will shape the future of agriculture"
YÖK President Erol Özvar, whose views were included in the statement, stated that agriculture is one of the areas that should be addressed together with technology, artificial intelligence, data analytics and robotic systems.
Pointing out that agriculture and animal husbandry are of critical importance for a country's food supply security, economic development and sustainable future, Özvar stated that the Precision Agriculture and Agricultural Robotics Department, opened within the scope of the transformation carried out in higher education, aims to train qualified human resources that will direct the digital transformation of the agricultural sector.
Özvar noted that in these programs, students not only acquire theoretical knowledge, but also prepare for the agricultural technologies of the future with applied training on artificial intelligence, robotic systems, smart agricultural technologies and data-based production processes.
Drawing attention to topics that are gaining importance on a global scale, such as climate change, effective use of water resources and productivity, Özvar said, "The most important element that will determine competitiveness in agriculture will be information and technology. The knowledge produced by our universities and the qualified human resources they will train will make a significant contribution to our country's sustainable production goals and food security in agriculture. With innovative programs such as Precision Agriculture and Agricultural Robots, we will continue to train experts who combine technology with production and will shape the future of agriculture." he said.
"We are training students for the agricultural transformation demanded by the sector"
Dean of NÖHÜ Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies and Director of NÖHÜ Ayhan Şahenk Agricultural Application and Research Center Prof. Dr. Ahmet Şekeroğlu pointed out that one of the main aims of the university is to transfer agricultural technologies into practice.
Stating that they opened the Department of Precision Agriculture and Agricultural Robotics at the undergraduate level within the faculty for this purpose, Şekeroğlu stated that they also carry out education and training activities at the postgraduate level in the Department of Digital Agriculture, which is only at NÖHÜ in Türkiye.
Şekeroğlu said, "Our aim is to train students for the sector based on the agricultural transformation demanded by the sector and the transformation in agricultural technology. In our research center, we carry out applications and research on plant and animal agriculture." he said.
Pointing out that the students personally carried out the applications in addition to theoretical knowledge, Şekeroğlu stated that some of the students received training on smart greenhouse systems, while some of them had the opportunity to receive training and practice on animal production in the field. Şekeroğlu noted that with this education model, they are trying to prepare students for both working life in Türkiye and international competition.
"Agricultural people who know technology are being trained"
NÖHÜ Precision Agriculture and Agricultural Robotics Department Lecturer Dr. Lecturer Member Mehmet Kürşat Yalçın stated that the program was formed by the combination of classical agriculture and artificial intelligence, computer science and robotics.
Pointing out that the graduate profile expected from the program is different from farmers working with traditional methods, Yalçın stated that the department trains agricultural people who know technology.
Yalçın explained that precision agriculture and agricultural robots include performing tasks in traditional agriculture with autonomous systems and equipping production processes with smart sensors.
Yalçın evaluated that with the introduction of autonomous systems, the human factor will remain in the background in production processes and efficiency will increase, and pointed out that the resources in the world are limited and the climate crisis is an imminent threat.
