Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (ÇOMÜ), in collaboration with Ezine Food Specialization Organized Industrial Zone and Portugal’s Coimbra Polytechnic Institute, hosted the OLIVER Erasmus+ Project meeting at the Faculty of Agriculture Meeting Hall. Attending the meeting supported by the EU were Prof. Dr. R. Cüneyt Erenoğlu, Rector of ÇOMÜ; Prof. Dr. Ahmet Evren Erginal, Director of the Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences and Project Coordinator; Alper Altınok, Director of Ezine Food Specialization Organized Industrial Zone; Prof. Dr. Murat Şeker, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture; Prof. Dr. Yasemin Kavdır; representatives from NGOs; academics; and students.
The program commenced with opening speeches on various topics. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Evren Erginal addressed “OLIVER Trainings, Assessment, and Statistical Analysis,” while Alper Altınok discussed “Olive Cultivation in Çanakkale and Future Projects.” Prof. Dr. R. Cüneyt Erenoğlu focused on “OLIVER Project and New Goals in ÇOMÜ-Industry Collaboration.”
Project Coordinator Prof. Dr. Ahmet Evren Erginal emphasized the importance of focusing on local issues alongside high-quality olive and olive oil production. He stated, “We continue to address not only scientific research but also local issues. Our project prioritizes university-industry collaboration. With this project, we aim to plant olive saplings, maintain the soil before planting, and ensure all necessary care is provided. In the final stages of the project, information will be shared regarding marketing strategies.”
Alper Altınok, Director of Ezine Food Specialization Organized Industrial Zone, stressed their commitment to university-industry collaboration and expressed a desire to connect students with industry. He noted, “Turkey holds a significant position in olive production, particularly in Çanakkale. However, we lag behind countries like Spain in marketing. This project has helped us identify our shortcomings. One of the reasons for our inadequate marketing is our lack of branding. We will do our best to address these shortcomings. We have facilities and factories in Çanakkale, and we emphasize university-industry collaboration to connect our students with industry.”
Prof. Dr. R. Cüneyt Erenoğlu, Rector of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, underscored the critical role of the OLIVER Erasmus Project within the EU’s Erasmus+ Program and its potential for advancing Turkey’s olive sector. He continued, “As we all know, the olive tree was born in Anatolian lands, spread to the Mediterranean basin, and profoundly influenced the economies, dietary habits, and cultures of many civilizations throughout history. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in olive production in Anatolia, highlighting the potential for further advancement in this field. However, significant challenges remain in olive production, including the efficiency of traditional production methods, the succession of younger generations to this production method, and product quality. The OLIVER project aims to address these challenges.”
The project will explore various production methods, support young entrepreneurs and small-scale producers, enhance product quality, and develop marketing strategies. These efforts are expected to increase the income levels of olive producers, promote rural development, and prevent migration.
One of the most significant aspects of the OLIVER project is its promotion of university-industry collaboration. This collaboration aims to integrate traditional knowledge with modern technology and innovation to create a sustainable olive production system.
Following the opening speeches, participants took part in an online survey titled “What Do You Know About Olive Literacy?” Following the survey, Prof. Dr. Murat Şeker presented on “Main Challenges of High-Quality Olive Oil,” and Prof. Dr. Yasemin Kavdır discussed “Utilization of Olive Waste.”
Before the training seminar, practical training was provided to target groups by Dr. Assistant Professor Mehmet Ali Gündoğdu, Academic Advisor at the ÇOMÜ Olive Oil Analysis Laboratory, introducing the Çanakkale Science, Technology, and Research Center (ÇOBİLTUM) laboratories and conducting practical sessions on olive oil quality and purity analysis in the Olive Oil Analysis Laboratory.
