Laurel leaf production in Kastamonu has increased tenfold in 3 years.

Vice Rector of Kastamonu University, Prof. Dr. Ömer Küçük, stated that as a result of their efforts, the production of laurel leaves in the Cide district of Kastamonu, which was 300 tons, has been increased to 3 thousand tons within 3 years.
A seminar on ‘production and cutting techniques in forestry, occupational safety, creating environmental awareness, and first aid’ was organized for the personnel working at the Kastamonu Regional Directorate of Forestry by the Faculty of Forestry at Kastamonu University and the Kastamonu Regional Directorate of Forestry. Speaking at the opening of the trainings held at the Conference Hall of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at Kastamonu University, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Küçük stated, ‘As one of the 25 specialized universities under Regional Development-Oriented Mission Differentiation and Specialization, Kastamonu University, the only university specialized in forestry and ecotourism, leads sustainable development at regional, national, and international levels.’
‘Ecotourism is also seen as an important potential’
Professor Küçük, who made assessments about the economy of Kastamonu and sustainable practices, said, ‘Although it is known that the economy of Kastamonu is based on forestry, ecotourism is also seen as an important potential. Kastamonu University continues its work with the relevant sectors and stakeholders for the economy of non-wood forest products and medicinal aromatic plants in our province, in cooperation with the General Directorate of Forestry and the Kastamonu Regional Directorate of Forestry, as well as two major forest industry companies exporting in our province. Within the framework of the Regional Development-Oriented Mission Differentiation and Specialization project carried out by our university, projects that contribute to regional development and have a high added value and concrete output potential are supported. Indeed, through specialization-oriented entrepreneurship, it has been deemed worthy of the KAL-DER award model of transforming technological infrastructure and R&D outputs into sustainable development in different segments of society by 2024.
‘Four patent/utility model applications have been made in supported projects, two of which have been registered’
Emphasizing the importance of specialization for the region, Prof. Dr. Küçük said, ‘Our university prioritizes and supports projects that focus on smart specialization, qualified workforce training, R&D and innovation, university-industry cooperation, regional, national, and international cooperation, and stakeholder relations, emphasizing our province, our region, and our country’s development. In our specialization field, 3 companies have been established, 1 cooperative has been established, 3 geographical indication applications have been made through the cooperative, and 2 of them have been registered. In addition, four patent/utility model applications have been made in supported projects, two of which have been registered. Considering all the supported specialization projects, more than 500 qualified workforce training sessions have been provided, the R&D infrastructure has been strengthened, a digital tourism guide has been developed within the scope of digitalization, web-based ecotourism routes have been created, and value-added products related to the specialization field have started to be produced. In addition to these, in order to ensure regional integration with stakeholders in relation to the specialization field, 36 consultancy services have been provided, 29 protocols have been signed, 40 collaborations have been developed, 10 national patents, 2 international patents, and 18 designs, totaling 30 applications, have been made, 18 of which have been registered. Furthermore, in 2024, a ‘Specialization Rapid Support’ call has been made for faster tangible outcomes in regional development, and 17 projects are in progress with applications received. The evaluations of the projects are ongoing. Our university works with its stakeholders to make concrete contributions to regional development.
‘In the past years, while the production of laurel leaves was only 250-300 tons, we have increased the production to 3 thousand tons in 2-3 years’
Stating that Kastamonu University is among the top ranks in specialization activities, Küçük said that work in this field continues without slowing down. Mentioning that works are ongoing between Kastamonu University and the Kastamonu Regional Directorate of Forestry for the economic utilization of laurel leaves, Prof. Dr. Küçük said, ‘I thank everyone who believed in and ensured the continuation of the project. Because the laurel plantation area in Cide has now been approved. Officially, rehabilitation works are being carried out. While only 250-300 tons were obtained from production in the past years, the production has reached 3 thousand tons in a short period of 2-3 years. This is a study at the focus of regional development. We believe that this number will reach 10 thousand tons or even 20 thousand tons. Our work on this issue is still ongoing, and rest assured, in the future, we will have very promising news for our province on this matter. Another study is on medicinal aromatic plants, which have a serious potential in the Western Black Sea Region. We see the outputs of the concrete studies conducted by Kastamonu University and our Regional Directorate of Forestry. Currently, there are 14 specialized firms established in Teknokent that are directly or indirectly related to tourism and forestry.
‘Training will be provided on production and cutting techniques in forestry, occupational safety, creating environmental awareness, and first aid’
Professor Dr. Korhan Enez from the Department of Forestry Engineering at the Faculty of Forestry of Kastamonu University stated, ‘The aim of our project is to emphasize the importance of production and cutting techniques in forestry, occupational safety, creating environmental awareness, and providing first aid training, and to open the way for the studies to be carried out in this field. For this purpose, our program, which will last four plus four days, will be completed with two separate groups of 85 and 73 people, with a theoretical first day and a practical day afterwards.
‘Aims to provide practical information on forestry practices and techniques’
Deputy Regional Director of Forestry in Kastamonu, Meryem Burçin Irmak, emphasizing the importance of forests and nature, said, ‘Preserving our nature and leaving a clean environment is a very important point. Forestry is not just about planting trees and cutting trees. It also plays a critical role in maintaining the health of our planet, sustaining biological diversity, and combating climate change. The training program starting today aims to inform you about occupational safety and health issues and to provide practical information on forestry practices and techniques. These trainings will make you more competent in your job and contribute to the sustainable management of natural resources.’
The trainings will continue until July 19th.