A Giant Step in Sustainable Agriculture from Konya Food and Agriculture University and Konya Şeker: Zero Pesticide Residue and Maximum Yield in Ultra-Clima Greenhouse
The strategic partnership between Konya Food and Agriculture University (KGTÜ) and Konya Şeker A.Ş. continues to undertake visionary projects in the field of sustainable agriculture and food security. Combining our university's academic expertise with Konya Şeker's strong industrial infrastructure, our greenhouse facility, equipped with the "Ultra-Clima" system—one of the world's leading climate control technologies—is pioneering the sector with fully soilless agriculture practices and a zero-pesticide principle.
Established on an active commercial production area of approximately 40 decares and operating directly as an integrated part of the factory, a simultaneous recycling system functions in this innovative greenhouse. Waste hot water from the factory is used to heat the greenhouse, maximizing energy efficiency, and the subsequently cooled water is redirected back to the factory process. In the production process carried out in beds made from coconut shells (cocopeat), high-quality products are obtained at record levels by applying precise EC and pH-balanced plant nutrition regimes.
Zero Pesticide Residue and Biological Control
Under the control of our engineers and academics, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is applied, based entirely on natural and scientific methods. Beneficial insects released into the production area suppress the pest population at its source, while the pollination processes of the plants are carried out entirely by bumblebees. Thus, the products that reach our tables not only have a 100% reliable food quality that protects human health but also do not cause the slightest harm to the ecological balance.
"This facility, which brings together Konya Şeker's producer vision and the academic power of Konya Food and Agriculture University, is a strategic fortress for our country's food security. We are proud to offer our consumers healthy and natural products completely free of chemicals and to ensure the safety of every bite that comes to our table."
Prof. Dr. Mehmet KILIÇ — Chairman of the Board of Trustees, KGTÜ
Hands-On Education and Strong R&D Infrastructure in the Field
As one of the most important outcomes of our university's mission, our facility also serves as a massive applied training laboratory for our students and academics. Under the guidance of our field manager instructors, our students complete their internships directly in this state-of-the-art environment, turning their theoretical knowledge into practice in the field.
"Our students carry out their research projects and internship practices directly in the center of this high-tech facility. Especially with the 2025-2026 production season, our R&D projects conducted in our university's laboratories have become fully integrated with the production in the field. We are not just growing crops here; we are raising competent agricultural engineers in the field who will manage the automated agricultural technologies of the future and master biological control and modern agricultural techniques."
Prof. Dr. Erol TURAN — Rector of KGTÜ
As Konya University of Food and Agriculture, we will continue unabated to develop environmentally friendly, efficient and safe food production technologies, working hand in hand with industry.
