HAYTEKFEST Opened Its Doors: New technologies in agriculture and livestock met in Burdur

The festival will turn Burdur into the center of agricultural technologies for three days with innovative projects, scientific sessions, and sector meetings.

47 out of 91 projects made it to the finals

A total of 91 projects applied to this year's HAYTEKFEST. 80 applications were made in the individual category, and 11 in the institutional category. As a result of the evaluations, 47 projects qualified for the finals. Among the finalist teams are 28 universities, municipalities, research centers, public institutions, and private sector representatives.

The projects offer innovative solutions in a wide range of areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, circular economy, and smart agriculture technologies. Many projects, from artificial intelligence-supported herd health systems to solar-powered food drying technologies, are shaping the future of agriculture.

The evaluation of the projects was carried out by over 200 experts using a multi-referee system.

A full program for three days

In addition to the areas where the finalist projects will be exhibited, eight seminars, three thematic workshops, and a special session with agricultural journalists will be held as part of the festival.

Additionally, a demonstration area where agricultural machinery and technology companies will showcase their latest products will be open to participants.

The event, which includes relevant institutions of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Industry and Technology, presents a strong example of academia-public-private sector collaboration.

Awards and entrepreneurship supports

Projects that rank in the finals will receive,
🏆 150,000 TL for first place,
🥈 100,000 TL for second place,
🥉 75,000 TL for third place awards.

Additionally, the top 10 finalists will win support from the MAKÜ–BAKA Technopark Incubation Center.
A project with high commercialization potential will be entitled to free pre-incubation office support.

Colorful moments and speeches at the opening

The festival's opening began with a folk dance performance by the MAKÜ Conservatory. Then, the MAKÜ and HAYTEKFEST promotional film was watched.

In his opening speech, MAKÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar emphasized the university's pioneering role in agricultural and livestock technologies:

“It is no longer possible to separate agriculture and livestock. The new generation wants to combine production with technology. With this understanding, we developed one of Turkey's first autonomous agricultural robots and exhibited it at Teknofest.”

Dalgar also emphasized their determination in producing local hardware and software in his speech:

“Developing software alone is not enough; we also need to produce hardware. For this reason, we established the Joint Research Center for Digital Technologies in Livestock. Now we are developing our own milk measuring devices, mobile microscopes, and embryo production systems.”

Rector Dalgar stated that the university has a vision of agricultural technology with “roots in the soil, branches in satellites,” and expressed that HAYTEKFEST is a concrete reflection of this vision.

Governor Bilgihan: “Burdur is among Turkey's top five in agriculture and livestock”

In her opening speech, Burdur Governor Tülay Baydar Bilgihan drew attention to the city's agricultural production power:

“Burdur is one of the most ambitious provinces in our country with over 450,000 cattle and 215,000 sheep and goats. Our farmers have the ability to produce their own solutions.”

Bilgihan stated that Burdur, which hosted one of Turkey's first tractor productions in the past, has the potential to become a pioneering city in agricultural technologies again today.

She also evaluated the Village University project carried out by the university as “a step that will shape the future.”

Agricultural Technologies Clustering session

Following the opening speeches, the Agricultural Technologies Clustering Session was held under the moderation of Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar.

Agricultural Technologies Clustering Board Chairman Abdülkadir Karagöz and Board Member Mehmet Fatih Özay explained the work they are doing to increase Turkey's global competitiveness in agricultural technologies.

Karagöz also announced the establishment of an Education Enterprise Foundation in Burdur during the session.

After the session, all participants toured the stands where the projects were located and received information about the projects.

Burdur on the way to becoming the new hub of agricultural technologies

HAYTEKFEST, which brings together science, technology, and production, is making Burdur one of Turkey's prominent centers in the field of agricultural technologies.

The festival paints a promising picture for the future of agriculture by instilling the understanding of 'production with mental effort' in both young researchers and entrepreneurs.