How a Turkish innovation helps central European farmers confront climate change
Publication Date: 2012-10-28
Piotr Pogorzelski
As global warming threatens agricultural production, an innovation developed by a Turkish entrepreneur together with Austrian and Croatian engineers could be the key to the future of European farming.
Ali Ozbugday comes from a long line of entrepreneurs. The family was part of the revolution which, after decades of dependence on imports in the agricultural sector, turned Turkey into a big seed exporter and a major cotton producer. Ozbugday feels the balance is shifting again - and European crop production could owe a lot to Turkey in the coming years.
Ozbugday’s professional career reflects the growing autonomy and economic vigour of his home country. After completing his studies in the United States, he started working in his family’s farms. Now he is the President of ProGen, a 100% Turkish-owned and a rapidly-expanding SME. Specialising in the development of new crop varieties without recourse to genetic modification, it is supplying seeds to producers worldwide.
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