The seminar, held at Near East University and discussing the use of biological insecticides in the fight against invasive insects that have damaged forests and agricultural products in the TRNC in recent years, brought together all the actors of the field, especially the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Hüseyin Çavuş and the Minister of Economy and Energy Olgun Amcaoğlu.
At the “Effective Use of Biological Insecticides in the Fight against Harmful Insects” seminar held at Near East University, the use of biological insecticides (insecticides) such as bacteria and fungi in the fight against the damage caused to the ecosystem by pine moths and other invasive pests was discussed.
The seminar, organized in cooperation with the Near East University Faculty of Agriculture and the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, was given by Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology, Basic and Industrial Microbiology Department Specialist Prof. Dr. Ataç Uzel.
In addition to the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Hüseyin Çavuş and the Minister of Economy and Energy Olgun Amcaoğlu; Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dr. Reşat Değirmenci, TRNC General Agricultural Insurance Fund Manager İpek Kızılduman, Near East University Vice Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Tüzünkan, Dean of Near East University Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Dr. Özge Özden attended the seminar. Some non-governmental organizations, academicians and students also followed the seminar.
The opening speeches of the seminar, which was also broadcast live on the official YouTube channel of Near East University, were made by Near East University Vice Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Tüzünkan and Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Hüseyin Çavuş.
Hüseyin Çavuş: “Expanding the use of biological insecticides in the fight against pests is extremely important for environmental sustainability.”
Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Hüseyin Çavuş, who made the opening speech of the seminar, gave information about the studies carried out in the last ten years in the fight against pests that threaten forests and agricultural areas. Hüseyin Çavuş said, “Biological control methods play a major role in the fight against the pine processionary moth, which is an important issue today. Production and protection of beneficial insects provides an effective biological control in the fight against harmful species such as the pine processionary moth.”
Minister Çavuş said, “While fighting against harmful species, the decrease in other insect species creates significant difficulties for the agricultural sector. Since chemical plants are known to harm plants and the environment, agricultural sector researchers are making efforts to reduce chemical use and focus on alternative methods.” Emphasizing that biological insecticides, especially used in the fight against pine processionary moths, stand out as a nature-friendly solution, Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Hüseyin Çavuş said, “Expanding the use of biological insecticides, which constitute only a small percentage of the world pharmaceutical market, in the fight against pests, is extremely important in terms of environmental sustainability.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Tüzünkan: “We will continue to support all our institutions with all our means and experience.”
Emphasizing the importance of the scientific approach in fighting pests, Near East University Vice Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Tüzünkan stated that they aim to offer a different perspective in fighting the damage caused to the ecosystem by pine moths and other invasive pests. Emphasizing the critical role of science in this struggle, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tüzünkan said, “As Near East University, we will continue to support all our institutions with all our resources and experience.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tüzünkan emphasized that scientific research and state policies are of great importance in protecting ecosystems. Tüzünkan said, “The interest shown by our esteemed ministers and all professional organizations on the subject to the seminar is extremely important as it shows that all actors who are stakeholders of the subject are open to the guidance of science.”
Prof. Dr. Ataç Uzel: “Biological insecticides should be preferred in terms of food safety as they leave little or no harmful residues on agricultural products.”
Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Basic and Industrial Microbiology Department Specialist Prof. Dr. Ataç Uzel touched upon the effects of the methods used in the “Effective Use of Biological Insecticides in the Fight against Harmful Insects”seminar. Underlining the damage caused by chemical methods used in the fight against pests, Prof. Dr. Uzel said, “Agricultural areas that increase with the increasing population need to be protected sustainably. Chemical applications cause environmental damage and wrong targeting, resulting in decreased biodiversity, development of resistance and accumulation of toxic substances, creating a major obstacle to creating a sustainable environment.”
Stating that biological insecticides should be preferred in terms of food safety as they leave little or no harmful residues on agricultural products, Prof. Dr. Uzel said that biological insecticides such as bacteria and fungi also support the natural balance of ecosystems by targeting certain pests without harming beneficial insects.
Prof. Dr. Ataç Uzel also mentioned that climate change causes an increase in harmful insects and said, “The increasing number of generations every year causes results such as increased survival in wintering, expansion of natural geographical distribution areas, desynchronization of insects, their enemies and host plants, and the spread of harmful insect species.”
Click to watch the seminar on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/live/8KJ1epKXGWU?si=KU8eVcYoysv4efS-