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The General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM) Director General Dr. M. Altuğ Atalay's election as President of the Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East & North Africa was followed by a visit to our Institute by the Association's Executive Secretary, Dr. Rida Shibli, and Deputy Executive Director, Rayeh Alghsoon.

The delegation, accompanied by Mr. Suat Yılmaz, Head of the Field Crops Research Department at TAGEM, and our Deputy Director Dr. Fatma Gül Maraş Vanlıoğlu, was provided with comprehensive information on the research and development activities carried out within our Institute, including those conducted at the Turkish Seed Gene Bank, the Biotechnology Research Center, and the Plant-Based Foods Research Center. During the visit, discussions focused on the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources, advanced biotechnological applications, and quality and technology studies related to plant-based foods. Potential areas for collaboration and joint projects aimed at strengthening regional cooperation in agricultural research were also evaluated.