Elite Flock Era Begins in Wool Production
The first advisory board meeting of the “Establishing an Elite Merino Flock for Wool Production with KOP Project”, implemented under the Rural Disadvantaged Areas Development Program, was held at the Konya Plain Project (KOP) Regional Development Administration.
The National Wool and Nanotechnology Workshop organized last year by KOP Regional Development Administration has started to bear fruit. Within this scope, the project prepared by Bahri Dağdaş International Agricultural Research Institute, titled “Establishing an Elite Merino Flock for Wool Production with KOP”, has been launched with the support of KOP. A fully equipped wool analysis laboratory was established within the Institute as part of the project. The initiative aims to examine the wool of Merino flocks raised in Konya and Karaman, along with those bred at Bandırma Sheep Research Institute, in order to increase the value of wool. The project seeks to classify wool quality, form elite flocks, and channel high-quality wool into the industry.
Supplying High-Quality and Affordable Raw Materials to Industry
Within the project, the wool characteristics of Merino sheep raised in small ruminant enterprises across the KOP region will be identified, and a raw material profile suited for industrial use will be developed. The animals with the best wool traits will be selected as breeding stock. Furthermore, the establishment of wool collection centers is planned to ensure that wool, which currently cannot be economically utilized by producers, is integrated into the market. Efforts are also underway to set up regional wool collection and classification centers.
President Karakoyunlu: “Animal Husbandry is a Key Element of Our Rural Development Model”
Chairing the meeting, Dr. Murat Karakoyunlu, President of the KOP Regional Development Administration, highlighted the role of livestock in the regional development vision and stated:
“In the provinces of the KOP Region, we are taking action to reduce regional disparities and address structural issues stemming from local dynamics. One of the most important dimensions of our Rural Development Model is livestock farming. Our region has significant potential, particularly in small ruminant breeding. Today, the major challenges in small ruminant farming are meat, milk, and wool. The outcomes of the National Wool and Nanotechnology Workshop held last year are now being realized. With this project, experts are already active in the field. I wish that our meeting brings prosperity to both our region and our country.”
Experts in the Field
Participants shared their views and recommendations on defining the roadmap of the project, focusing on the existing problems of wool and proposed solutions outlined in the National Wool and Nanotechnology Workshop report.
The meeting was attended by KOP Regional Development Administration President Dr. Murat Karakoyunlu, Vice President Kasım Akyol, Bahri Dağdaş International Agricultural Research Institute Director İlker Topal, and members of the Advisory Board.
The Advisory Board is composed of:
Süleyman Armağan, Kübra Biçer, and Dr. Gökhan Akkaya (KOP Regional Development Administration – Agriculture and Rural Development Coordination), Tülay Canatan Yılmaz, Turgay Ebrinç, and Mesut Kırbaş (Bahri Dağdaş International Agricultural Research Institute), Prof. Dr. Mehmet Koyuncu (Uludağ University, Faculty of Agriculture), Prof. Dr. Mehmet İhsan Soysal (Namık Kemal University, Faculty of Agriculture), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sedat Behrem (Aksaray University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine), Ercan Yaylacı (Konya Sheep and Goat Breeders Association), Uğur Trabzon (Bandırma Sheep Research Institute)
