Turkish Seed Growers Association (TÜRKTOB) brought up the R&D needs of the seed industry with its stakeholders at the Workshop held in Ankara. R&D problems and solution suggestions of the seed industry were discussed at the Common Mind Platform held on 26-27 March, moderated by TÜBİTAK TÜSSİDE.

The workshop started with the opening speech of TÜRKTOB President Yıldıray Gençer. In his speech, Gençer touched upon the importance of R&D today and stated that the outputs will form the backbone of the sector's strategy document. Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM). Ali Osman Sarı noted that holding a workshop under the title of R&D was very pleasing for the sector. Finally, Turkish Seed Growers Association (TÜRKTOB) Board Member and Plant Breeders Sub-Association (BİSAB) Vice President Dr. Vehbi Eser emphasized to the participants what R&D is, why it is important and why R&D studies should be given importance in the sector.

Following the speeches, thematic groups formed by TÜRKTOB and Sub-Union Representatives, officials from the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, representatives of companies that are members of the union in the private sector, academicians and managers of relevant non-governmental organizations evaluated the current situation of the R&D needs of the seed industry in Turkey. Then, a proposal development study was carried out for the needs arising from the current situation. The workshop ended with each group completing the elaboration of the prominent suggestions.