Kastamonu agricultural products showcased at international congress

At the 5th International Sustainable Ecological Agriculture Congress (ICSEA 2026) hosted by Selçuk University, researchers from 25 countries gathered to discuss climate change, habitat loss, and sustainable food production.

Hikmet Haberal, a lecturer from Kastamonu University, presented two scientific studies regarding the economic and gastronomic potential of regional products: Ihsangazi siyez wheat and fragrant grapes. The siyez wheat, which has an estimated history of approximately 12,000 years, was highlighted for its nutritional properties and its potential to drive rural development through high-value products like wheat paste and bakery goods.

Haberal also discussed strategies for integrating the region's unique fragrant grapes into the local economy. The presentations emphasized combining ecological agriculture with agritourism to create a sustainable development model for the Kastamonu region.