An international scientific conference titled "From Genes to Smart Agriculture: Modern Biotechnologies for Sustainable Crop and Livestock Production" was held jointly by Gözel Seeds and ADA University, with the participation of six leading scientists from Türkiye specializing in genetics and agricultural biotechnology, APA-Economics reports.
The event discussed the potential of advanced genomic technologies in ensuring regional food security, developing precision breeding methods, and integrating into international markets.
The conference began with opening speeches by Tahir Gözel, founder of Gözel Seeds, and Matteo Vittuari, Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at ADA University.
Professors A. Naci Onus, Anne Frary, Sami Doganlar, Levent Mercan, and Musa Kavas, Associate Professor Ibrahim Chelik, invited from Türkiye, as well as ADA University Professor Mehrac Abbasov, delivered presentations during a scientific session dedicated to innovative technologies that play an important role in the development of modern agriculture. Professor Matteo Vittuari also served as the conference moderator.
The presentations highlighted high-throughput genetic sequencing, bioinformatics, and CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technologies, as well as the potential of these methods to accelerate the development of plant varieties resistant to extreme climatic conditions and emerging diseases.
Speaking before and after the scientific sessions, Tahir Gözel addressed the commercial and strategic challenges facing agriculture in the region. He stated that while international seed producers primarily develop high-yielding varieties for high-tech, automated greenhouses, a significant proportion of local farmers operate in medium- and low-tech farming environments. This increases the need for resilient seed varieties adapted to local conditions.
Discussing Gözel Seeds' investments in Türkiye aimed at meeting existing needs, Tahir Gözel particularly emphasized the establishment of a laboratory specializing in double haploid (DH) technology and an advanced molecular marker laboratory. He also drew attention to the growing role of machine learning technologies in analyzing complex genomic data. Stressing the importance of extending biotechnology applications to livestock farming, he noted the significance of breeding dairy cattle adapted to local conditions.
Linking these scientific and technological achievements to the country's development prospects, Gözel emphasized the strategic importance of strengthening agricultural self-sufficiency for national sovereignty:
"Exploring new frontiers of scientific discovery is the greatest responsibility of modern entrepreneurs."
Following the conference, representatives of ADA University, scientists from Türkiye, and Gözel Seeds discussed the possibility of organizing a joint 10–14-day summer school in Baku. The initiative, planned in cooperation with leading scientists, aims to enable students to become familiar with advanced research technologies, deepen their specialized knowledge, and benefit from international academic experience.
Note that Gözel Seeds, which operates internationally in plant breeding and seed production, uses advanced plant breeding methods such as molecular marker technologies, genetic analysis, and double haploid (DH) technology in its research. Drawing on its technological expertise and research experience, the company aims to contribute to Azerbaijan's scientific and agricultural development by promoting the application of modern breeding technologies and the exchange of specialized knowledge.
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