The Cyprus-Turkey Carob (Harnup) Workshop, organized in collaboration with Near East University, the Cyprus Carob Growers Association, and the Alanya Carob Producers Association, and attended by the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hüseyin Çavuş, brought together academics, public sector representatives, producers, and industry professionals on the same platform.

Carob (harnup), one of the agricultural products of the Mediterranean that has maintained its value for centuries, brought together experts for scientific and sectoral assessments that will shape its future. The “Cyprus-Turkey Carob (Harnup) Workshop,” organized in collaboration with Near East University, which is among the top 500 universities in the world, the Cyprus Carob Growers Association, and the Alanya Carob Producers Association, brought together academics, public institutions, producers, and industry representatives from Turkey and Northern Cyprus at Near East University.

Republic of Turkey The workshop, organized with the contributions of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the TRNC Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Akdeniz University, the Western Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute, Lefke European University, Antalya Science University, the Alanya Carob Producers Association, and the Turkish Cypriot Carob Growers Association, provided an important platform for strengthening cooperation in the agricultural sector between Cyprus and Turkey.

At the opening of the workshop, which saw high participation, speeches were given by the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Hüseyin Çavuş, the Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, the President of the Alanya Carob Producers Association Duran Yılmaz, the President of the Cyprus Carob Growers Association Bekir Bolatcan, and the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Near East University Prof. Dr. Özge Özden. The event, which brought together representatives from academia, the public sector, and the industry on a common platform, featured academics from Akdeniz University, Antalya Science University, and Near East University sharing their knowledge and experience through scientific presentations. The workshop also attracted significant interest from the Mayor of Tatlısu, producers from the Entrepreneurial Women’s Development Cooperative, and carob producers. Speaking at the panel, Tatlısu Mayor Hayri Orçan stated that the municipality is ready to provide all kinds of support if universities and producer associations conduct joint research projects in the future. Orçan stated that the existing carob plantations in Tatlısu could be used as a pilot application area for sampling and scientific research.

The future of carob was evaluated in light of scientific data.

The workshop, held at Near East University with the theme “The Future of Carob in the Mediterranean Basin: Science, Industry and Sector Cooperation,” comprehensively evaluated the production potential of carob, its transformation into value-added products, the development of its uses in industry, and sustainable production models in light of scientific data. The sessions also included discussions on steps to strengthen cooperation in the process from production to industry, and on common strategies for the future of the sector.

Hüseyin Çavuş: “The collective wisdom that will emerge here will make significant contributions to our producers, our land, and carob production.”

Describing carob as ‘one of the strongest legacies of the Mediterranean geography and the black gold of our country,’ Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Hüseyin Çavuş stated that this product has a strategic value for the country’s economy and natural heritage. Drawing attention to the fact that climate change, drought, and developments in global markets directly affect the carob sector, Çavuş said, “We can turn these crises into opportunities with the right steps. This can only be achieved through the collective wisdom of scientists, producers, the public, and sector representatives.” Emphasizing that the problems faced by producers cannot be solved solely with public support, Çavuş added, “We are resolutely continuing our support so that our producers can utilize their product in a high value-added way and continue their production.” Concluding his speech, Minister Çavuş stated that he believed the outcomes of the workshop would guide the sector, saying, “The collective wisdom that will emerge here will make significant contributions to ensuring that our producers’ hard work is valued, that the fertility of our land is protected, and that carob production is sustainable.”

Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “Protecting the land also means protecting our identity and our shared future.”

Emphasizing that carob is not only an agricultural product with economic value but also an important part of the cultural heritage of the Mediterranean region, the Rector of Near East University, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, stated, “Protecting the land also means protecting our identity and our shared future.” Highlighting the strategic importance of carob due to its high nutritional value and climate change resilience, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “Making this valuable product more visible through scientific research and sharing the resulting knowledge with producers, industry, and society is among the fundamental responsibilities of universities.” Stating that it is of great importance to address local values ​​like carob using scientific methods, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ emphasized the need for strong collaborations between universities, public institutions, producers, and industry to enable these products to be moved to areas that generate higher added value.

Prof. Dr. Özge Özden: “Carob is one of the island’s most valuable natural heritages.”

Stating that they conduct extensive research on local products such as olives, olive oil, honey, Cypriot potatoes, and halloumi cheese, Prof. Dr. Özge Özden, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Near East University, said, “Carob is also one of the island’s most valuable natural heritages. Carob, or locust bean, is a valuable product with a 4000-year history on our island. As the Faculty of Agriculture at Near East University, we are very happy and honored to host this workshop.” Prof. Dr. Özden stated that she believes the workshop will be the beginning of new collaborations between Turkey and the TRNC, and that this first joint organization with the Alanya Carob Producers Association will continue. Özden stated, “We will also participate in workshops to be held in Alanya in the coming months. With the support of both the TRNC Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, we aim to further advance our work in this field by developing joint projects.” Prof. Dr. Özden thanked all stakeholders who contributed to the organization of the workshop.

Duran Yılmaz: “This workshop will be an important starting point for us to work together towards common goals.”

Expressing his belief that the workshop will create a strong foundation for cooperation between Turkey and the TRNC in the field of carob, Duran Yılmaz, President of the Alanya Carob Producers Association, stated, “If we can achieve fruitful results from this program, we can develop carob together and take it to a much stronger position.” Noting that they closely follow the support policies implemented by the TRNC for carob, Yılmaz said, “Carob has an important place in the state policies in Cyprus. The support given to producers both contributes to the continuation of production here and serves as an example for us. I believe that we will create a common roadmap with the support of the ministry in the coming period.”

Bekir Bolatcan: “The guidance of science is indispensable for the future of our sector.”

Bekir Bolatcan, President of the Cyprus Carob Growers Association, stated that the workshop was an important step that would shape the future of the carob sector. Expressing that addressing the problems producers have faced for years in light of scientific data would provide long-term solutions for the sector, Bolatcan said, “I believe that when the knowledge and experience of our scientists are combined with the field experience of our producers, we will achieve much stronger results.”

• The event is aligned with SDG 2, SDG 12, and SDG 15.