MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANT PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES IN DÜZCE PROVINCE

Düzce University was among the initial five pilot universities selected for the "Regional Development-Oriented Mission Differentiation and Specialization" project. This project, launched in June 2015 through collaboration between the Council of Higher Education and the Ministry of Development, aims to enhance universities' contributions to their respective regions and foster specialization, particularly in the fields of Environment and Health.

In the realm of environment, the objective is to repurpose agricultural waste for industrial use. Regarding health, the goal is to establish a Traditional and Complementary Medicine Application and Research Centre. This initiative involves engaging volunteer farmers in the region to cultivate Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, conduct beekeeping, and produce mushrooms. These raw materials are then transformed into various products.

Turkey boasts a diverse flora rich in medicinal and aromatic plants, which play a significant role in the national economy and offer supplemental income to residents of cultivating regions. These plants serve as raw materials for various industries, and the demand for them and their derived products has been steadily increasing. Despite Turkey's substantial potential in medicinal plant exports, it has yet to reach the desired level. Thus, there's a need to intensify efforts, such as adaptation and cultivation studies and training programs for farmers, to bolster Turkey's presence in the global medicinal plant market.

Düzce experiences a moderate, humid climate typical of the Black Sea coastal areas, with influences from both Mediterranean and continental climates. The average annual temperature is 13.0°C, total annual precipitation averages 823.7 kg/m², and the average relative humidity stands at 75%. The province has a total agricultural area of 74,481 hectares, with hazelnut production covering 63,382 hectares.

Within the project's framework, production trials for various plants, including Izmir Thyme, Medicinal Sage, Anatolian Sage, Peppermint, Lemon Balm, Calendula, Lavender, Saffron, Salep, Pomegranate, and Sugar Grass, were established in collaboration with 25 volunteer farmers. These trials consider farmers' conditions, including economic factors and available tools and equipment, to ensure successful production.