National Fruit Growing Symposium was organized by the Fruit Research Institute Directorate (MAREM) in 27-30 September 2022 with the theme of "Fruit Growing in Terms of Food Security". In the symposium; Climate problems affecting the fruit growing sector, global markets and changes in consumer preferences, and concerns about food safety were evaluated. In addition, knowledge and experience were shared with the participants in the new of scientific developments in fruit cultivation and studies were planned to strengthen interdisciplinary studies. Head of Horticulture Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM), Assoc. Dr. Davut Keleş, Governor of Isparta city Aydın BARUŞ, District Governor of Eğirdir Adem ÇELİK, Mayor of Eğirdir Veli GÖK, Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Eyüp ADIGÜZEL, Director of MAREM Dr. Şerif ÖZONGUN, Isparta University of Applied Sciences (ISUBÜ) Dean of Faculty of Agriculture Prof. Dr. Mevlüt GÜL, academicians from different universities of Turkey, researchers from institutes, technical staff, producers and students were participated. In the opening program, TAGEM Head of Horticulture Department Davut KELEŞ, ISUBU Faculty of Agriculture Dean Prof. Dr. Mevlüt GÜL and Isparta Governor Aydın BARUŞ made speeches. Governor Aydın BARUŞ, who participated in the opening program of the symposium and made a speech here, shared the numerical data of Isparta in the fruit growing sector and focused on the importance of fruit cultivation. "The global climate crisis and finally the covid-19 epidemic season reminded all people how important food safety. Availability of food, sustainable food management is one of the most strategic issues that the world focuses on today. That is why the National Fruit cultivation was held on such an important strategic issue. "The symposium is of particular importance for all of us. Another thing that makes the symposium special for us is that our country is one of the most important fruit growing centers in the world in terms of its climate characteristics, soil structure and location, and that our Isparta is one of the most important fruit growing centers in Turkey." After the speeches, Governor BARUŞ and the members of the protocol gave the plaques to the private sector representatives and invited speakers who supported the symposium. The opening program of the symposium ended with the concert given by the Academic Chamber Orchestra trio composed of Süleyman Demirel University faculty members, followed by a folk dance performance. After the opening program, our invited speakers made their presentations.
The topics of our invited speakers and their presentations are; Dr. Ignasi Iglesias CASTELLARNAU, "Overview of Fruit Production over the World and Advances in Technology of Production Aiming for Efficiency and Sustainability"
Dr. Michael SCHROEDER," Introduction of Grocel, a New Tool to Better Manage Quality, Storage and Shelf Life of Apple Fruit in Turkey"
Prof. Dr. Sibel ÖZİLGEN, "Diverting Consumer Preferences from Meat to Fruit and Vegetable Alternatives Through Menu Engineering"
Prof. Dr. Nuri AZBAR, "Agriculture and Food on the Axis of EU Green Consensus"
Prof. Dr. İffet İrem TATLI ÇANKAYA, "The Effects of Red-Purple Colors on Health"
Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı BOYACI, "Digital Agricultural Technologies, Innovation and Future Vision in Food and Agriculture"
Prof. Dr. Enver DURMUŞOĞLU, "Residue Problem in Fruits and Suggestions for Solution" For 4 days, academicians and researchers presented their papers as a result of their work in the field of fruit cultivation. After the scientific programs that ended at the end of the day, the attendees of the symposium had the opportunity to have fun at the opening cocktail, a technical trip to Gülbudaklar Cold Storage, İslamköy Süleyman Demirel Museum, Akpınar terrace and participated in the gala night.
