Opening ceremony of the "VI. International Chestnut Symposium" organized by Ondokuz Mayıs University and International Society of Horticultural Science was held at Distance Learning Hall (UZEM) Conference Hall on October 9, 2017.

The opening ceremony of the symposium where participants from 11 different countries were invited was held with the participation of Turan Çakır, Deputy Mayor of Samsun Metropolitan Municipality, Osman Topaloğlu, Mayor of 19 Mayıs Province, Vice Rector Prof. Mehmet Kuran, Prof. Yusuf Demir, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at OMU, Prof. Ümit Serdar, Academician in the Department of Horticulture and Head of the Symposium Organization Committee, academicians, students and representatives of the sector.

“Turkey has become a leader in Europe with 62 thousand tons of chestnut production”

Prof. Ümit Serdar, the Chairman of the Symposium made the opening speech and he remarked:"There are reasonable grounds for organizing this symposium in our country. Turkey has become a leader in Europe with 62 thousand tons of chestnut production.  Chestnut is known to be a plant that naturally grows in the Marmara, Aegean and Black Sea regions of our country. Bursa and Aydin also play a significant role in chestnut production."

“We organized our second international congress in two months”

Prof. Yusuf Demir, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, expressed their happiness in organizing the second international symposium in the last two months.   Prof. Demir "We organized a congress on hazelnut two months ago, and today we are organizing the congress on chestnut. I hope that we will increase the number of such organizations in the future. By this way, it will be possible for our faculty to assume a leading role in contributing to our country and world's agriculture.

Speaking at the symposium, OMU Vice Rector Mehmet Kuran also expressed his happiness in hosting such an important symposium at Ondokuz Mayıs University and made a short speech to introduce the university on behalf of foreign participants.

“This symposium will provide a great benefit to the added value of our chestnut”

Turan Çakır, the Deputy Mayor of Samsun Metropolitan Municipality, remarked that Samsun produces great amounts of chestnut, and he stated: "We need to increase the added value by converting agricultural products into commercial commodities. We think this symposium will provide great benefit to the added value of chestnut."

After their conversation, plaques were presented to those contributing to the organization of the conference.

Story: Nehir GÜLER

Photography: Gökhan ÇETİN