The studies carried out by the R&D group of Yeditepe University Department of Biogenetics Engineering on Organic Tea Agriculture in Rize gained new momentum with the new agreement signed between the General Directorate of ÇAYKUR and Yeditepe University on 31 December 2014. Pilot research undertaken in Yeşiltepe, Çayeli, focusing on finding the best fertiliser to be used in organic tea agriculture was presented as a poster in the 3rd International Congress on Cocoa, Coffee and Tea held in Porto, in July 2015. The poster presentation by Prof. Dr. Metin Turan was accepted to be published in the prestigious and world-renowned journal ELSEVIER. Furthermore a trimestral R&D report (numbered 2015/03) was prepared and following the approval of ÇAYKUR authorities, the report was shared on the website of ÇAYKUR General Directorate under the Social Responsibility Projects section.
After the publication of the report on ÇAYKUR’s website, International Accreditation Association ULAK awarded the partners of the Yeşiltepe Village Organic Tea Project i.e. Yeditepe University, ÇAYKUR Directorate General and Yeditepe Health Inc. the IQ-SA 8000-2001, International Social Accountability Certificate valid in 170 countries.
Bedrettin Dalan, the Founding President of ISTEK Foundation, received the certificate on behalf Yeditepe University. İmdat Sütlüoğlu, General Director of ÇAYKUR and Emrah İnce, Chairman of the Executive Board of Yeditepe Health Services Inc. also received the certificates on behalf of their institutions. The certificates were presented by Fatih Sinan Yılmaz, General Director of the International Accreditation Association in the ceremony organized at the 15th International Growtech Agriculture Fair.
ÇAYKUR Directorate General, Yeditepe University and Yeditepe Health Services Inc. are deservedly proud of being the leaders of the largest organic agricultural tea lands transformation project accredited worldwide with this certificate.
