Middle East Technical University (METU) provides free access to knowledge, technology transfer, and practical training on sustainable agriculture, climate-resilient water management, and agrivoltaic technologies for local farmers, agricultural cooperatives, and public stakeholders. All knowledge-sharing platforms, living-labs, and field workshops are offered completely free of charge.

1. Agrivoltaics & Technology Transfer Living-Labs (Ayaş AgriPV Platform)

METU’s Center for Solar Energy Research and Applications (METU-GÜNAM) established the Ayaş AgriPV (TarımGES) Facility in Ankara under a tripartite protocol with local farmers and the Ayaş District Directorate of Agriculture.

• Living-Lab Concept: The agricultural land was allocated for METU-GÜNAM’s free research and testing platform to monitor PV module performance, microclimate parameters, shading ratios, and crop yield in real field conditions.
• Knowledge Sharing: It serves as a reference platform for local farmers to evaluate crop protection, land productivity, and agricultural solar integration firsthand.
•  https://www.odtugunam.org/laboratuvarlar/ayas-tarimges-agripv-tesisi-ankara/

2. Practical Field Workshops for Farmers & Stakeholders

• Pioneer Farmers Workshop (Öncü Çiftçiler Çalıştayı) | October 15, 2025:
  • Location: Mustafakemalpaşa, Bursa (Under the METU-GÜNAM led Türkiye–Greece SolarHub Project).
  • Target Audience: Local farmers, academics, public agricultural institutions, and private-sector representatives.
  • Scope: Participants visited an agrivoltaic pilot facility and exchanged practical knowledge on agricultural production, energy efficiency, crop selection, drip irrigation, fertilisation, and the integration of renewable energy in farming.
  • https://arastirma.tarimorman.gov.tr/toprakgubre/Haber/395/Oncu-Ciftciler-Calistayi-Gerceklestirildi
• Nature-Based Solutions & Ponds Workshop (Gölcükler Çalıştayı) | April 8–10, 2025:
  • Host/Partners: Co-hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, METU Center for Ecosystem Research (METU-EKOSAM), BioArt, and the Association for Nature-Based Solutions.
  • Target Audience: 70 domain experts, local producers, and public authority representatives.
  • Scope: Included theoretical training by international experts (Lars Briggs) followed by two days of field applications (April 9–10) on pond creation, site selection, wetland restoration, and sustainable agricultural water management.
  • https://ekosam.metu.edu.tr/en/announcements/ponds-nature-based-solutions-workshop-pond-creation-restoration-and-maintenance

3. University–Industry R&D Collaboration for Sustainable Agriculture & Sugar Industry :

METU engaged in strategic consultations with leading national agricultural and sugar industry stakeholders (such as TÜRKŞEKER) to develop joint R&D projects and technology transfer opportunities. These consultations focus on sustainable crop production, climate-resilient farming, and advanced sugar processing technologies to enhance national food security.

https://www.turkseker.gov.tr/?ModulID=1&MenuID=53&ID=3087