Our readers know that I frequently discuss agricultural-industrial integration. Because added value and wealth stem from this. We spoke with Kasım Kutlu Öz, General Manager of Özaltın Agricultural Enterprises Industry and Trade Inc., operating in Koçarlı district of Aydın, about the company’s activities and projects.
Öz says, “Our company started its operations in 2000 with an olive oil processing plant. Our continuous system olive oil processing plant expanded its operations in subsequent years, establishing a second olive oil processing plant in Çulhalar village, in addition to the one in Koçarlı/Dedeköy. In the following years, our company also incorporated the plant located in Kalfaköy, Aydın, bringing the number of olive oil processing facilities to three. As a result, our olive oil production and export activities continue at full speed.”
Ambitious in Seed Production
Öz stated, “In addition, in 2003, we established a cotton ginning plant in Koçarlı/Dedeköy consisting of 38 rollergin type ginning machines. In 2007, we increased the operating capacity by adding 3 sawgin type machines to this facility. In 2012, we commissioned our ginning factory in Söke district, consisting of 60 rollergin type machines, and in 2013, our sawgin plant in the Diyarbakır region. In total, we cultivate cotton and wheat seeds on nearly 3,000 decares of land using state-of-the-art tools and equipment. All production is achieved thanks to our experienced team of agricultural engineers. While we also have contract farming agreements with many farmers, we provide our farmers with support in terms of fuel, fertilizer, and tools and equipment when needed.”
Collaboration with Bayer
“In 2004, we commissioned a delination facility consisting of 3 delinators and associated systems, boasting world-class production quality,” said Öz, continuing: “Since that year, our facility, with a delination seed processing capacity of 10,000 tons/year, has been working in collaboration with Bayer Cropscience. Cotton seeds produced at our facility for Bayer Cropscience are exported to the Turkish domestic market and many countries worldwide. Furthermore, our facility doubled its seed processing capacity in 2011 and is renowned for its extremely modern and high-quality seed processing and packaging capabilities. Our R&D efforts, which we place great importance on, are generally focused on cotton seed production. As a result of years of arduous work, we have obtained production permits for 4 unique cotton seed varieties developed with domestic capital, and production and registration activities are rapidly underway. To ensure the sustainability of our work, we have also established a substantial gene bank. This gene bank contains more than 2,500 advanced lines. All of these have their own genetic resources and characteristics.” “It is defined and diverse enough to meet our desired specifications whenever needed. All of our work is being planned in collaboration with TÜBİTAK and the Ministry of Industry.”
Target Africa
Kasım Kutlu Öz provides the following information about the latest developments regarding the company: “Furthermore, together with our partners, we have reached an agreement with the Ethiopian Government to open 500,000 decares of land for agriculture. For the past two years, we have also taken a giant step towards cotton cultivation in the Omo Valley region. We will be carrying out the first seed planting in the coming days. The fact that all the seeds used will come from our facility will also be an indication of the significant contribution we will make to the country’s economy. Our company also has a vegetable production branch. Our vegetable production is carried out on 1,350 decares of land, entirely in accordance with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards and is certified. The products produced are shipped to giant companies in the field such as Migros and Özgörkey, and our company is one of the largest producers of these companies in the region.”
