The national sugar beet seeds named "Türkşeker 2023" and "Türkşeker 2053", which were developed by Turkish Sugar Factories Inc. (Türkşeker) and which production studies have started, are planned to be sown in the soil next year.

According to the information obtained by AA correspondent, national sugar beet variety development studies, which started with scientific researches conducted at the Sugar Institute affiliated to Türkşeker about 30 years ago, have been accelerated recently.

In this context, a fully equipped biotechnology laboratory was established in 2020 and a team specialized in breeding was formed. Later, Türkşeker signed a “Protocol on Breeding and Seed Production of Domestic and National Sugar Beet Varieties Resistant to Diseases and Pests” with Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University and Kastamonu University.

Thanks to the steps taken to develop Turkish sugar beet varieties with the highest level of quality and yield using molecular biological methods, the varieties named "Türkşeker 2023" and "Türkşeker 2053" have been developed. A production permit for these varieties obtained from the Ankara Seed Registration and Certification Center Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on January 28, 2022.

The field and test phases for the registration of the varieties have been successfully passed. On April 4, 2024, seeds named "Türkşeker 2023" and "Türkşeker 2053" are registered and entered the "National Variety List" of the Ministry. In this way, the first steps taken to get rid of foreign dependency were taken.

Work on the production of sugar beet seeds in the two registered domestic varieties started this year. Türkiye's first domestic and national sugar beet seed varieties to be produced this year will be sown by farmers next year.

Türkşeker Brand Back on Market Shelves

On the other hand, as a result of the efforts carried out, the Türkşeker brand took its place on the market shelves again. A cooperation protocol was signed between Türkşeker and the Ankara Food and Necessities Retailers Association for the sale of sugar to member markets in order for citizens to easily access Türkşeker branded packaged crystal granulated sugar on market shelves. In the first phase, packaged granulated sugar, sugar cubes, stick and single-wrapped sugar in 1-, 3- and 5-kilogram packages, which are offered for sale in Ankara, will soon be sold throughout the country.

Source: AA