Sinan Akdoğan (OMÜ Kurumsal İletişim Koordinatörlüğü Haber Merkezi)
As part of its status as a "Candidate Research University," Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) hosted a meeting to introduce two visionary projects: "Hemp Research Center Project: Establishing Hemp Products Testing Center and Data Platforms" and "Fiber Plants Production and Processing Complex." These projects aim to transform hemp, known as the "green treasure," from soil to industrial products.
Supported by the Eastern Black Sea Project Regional Development Administration (DOKAP BKİ), these projects aim to elevate the potential applications of hemp across various sectors. During the program held at the OMU Atatürk Congress and Culture Center, the current state of the hemp industry in Turkey, its challenges, and strategic importance were discussed.
The event saw participation from OMU Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal, DOKAP President Hakan Gültekin, Director of the Hemp Research Institute Prof. Dr. Selim Aytaç, Atakum District Governor Kemal Yıldız, Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Sağlam, along with academicians and industry representatives.
In his opening speech, Rector Prof. Dr. Yavuz Ünal emphasized the strategic importance of hemp in addressing environmental, climate change, and health issues. He highlighted that the prevention of hemp production was also a strategic decision aligned with the vision set by the President. Prof. Dr. Ünal said, "Our president has set a target. This product is strategic, and we will bring it to life in all its aspects."
Prof. Dr. Ünal shared that hemp is used in many areas and that OMU had launched 34 hemp-related projects in two years, starting from zero in 2020. The number of patents increased from zero in 2020 to 10 in 2021 and 21 in 2022.
Emphasizing the need to turn hemp into an industrial product, Prof. Dr. Ünal stated that OMU had undertaken a historical mission. He noted, "If there is a buyer for a product, it has value. The interest shows that there is a buyer. We are ready for all kinds of R&D without any hesitation. The primary goal is for everyone to win – producers, farmers, society, and investors. A culture will form if this balance can be achieved, and the process will flow naturally."
DOKAP President Hakan Gültekin highlighted that the most critical work areas are plant production. He pointed out the rich biodiversity of the Black Sea Region and the efforts made to explore the potential of medicinal and aromatic plants. He shared that they had turned St. John's Wort into an exportable product after extensive research.
Gültekin mentioned that OMU academicians expressed their interest in researching hemp. He said, "Considering the planting and cultivation areas, Samsun is like the center of hemp. Therefore, we found it appropriate to support two projects worth 30 million 500 thousand liras."
Prof. Dr. Selim Aytaç, Director of the Hemp Research Institute at OMU, spoke about their intensive efforts to demonstrate the power of hemp in Turkey and benefit humanity. He mentioned that the first local hemp varieties, "Vezir" and "Narlı," were developed within the university and that OMU houses the country's first hemp research institute.
Following Prof. Dr. Selim Aytaç’s remarks, Maren Krings, the Director General of The Federation of International Hemp Organizations (FIHO), shared her extensive knowledge on hemp. Krings, an acclaimed climate impact storyteller, photojournalist, and author, provided detailed information on hemp as a plant and its diverse uses across the globe. She highlighted the innovative use of hemp in construction, detailing examples from countries such as Portugal, Morocco, and Ukraine. Krings emphasized the benefits of hemp products in construction, particularly through indigenous methods, and discussed the various challenges faced by hemp producers. Additionally, she presented her short documentary that showcased the use of hemp materials in Ukraine's construction efforts, which are crucial for the country's rapid reconstruction needs due to the ongoing war. Krings' insights and visual documentation underscored the potential of hemp in promoting environmental sustainability. Additionally, she mentioned her award-winning book, “H Is For HEMP,” which has been instrumental in transforming her career and promoting sustainable practices within the hemp industry.
Following the presentations, industry representatives and participants attended the "2nd Turkish Hemp Industry Meeting" at OMU Omtel Beach Facilities, where they discussed the various applications of hemp.
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