Interview: Cemalettin Kanaş

İş’in Guru’su (Guru of the Business), founded by Dr. Nihan Buğdaycı and Agricultural Engineer Yasemin Karaman, is a consultancy company offering their versatile expertise in the field of agriculture and livestock. The initiative stands out for its emphasis on human health, approaching food production from both a health and economic efficiency perspective.

Dr. Nihan Buğdaycı and  Yasemin Karaman

Feed Planet is delighted to present you with another exclusive interview in this first issue of 2024. This time, we got to know ‘İş’in Guru’su,’ which holds a significant mission and vision in the Turkish agriculture and livestock sector. The founders, Dr. Nihan Buğdaycı and Yasemin Karaman, who provide consultancy services in health, quality food, and analysis in animal and plant production, shared with us their innovations and their future goals. İş’in Guru’su aims to leave a mark on the agriculture and livestock sector by blending skills such as communication, leadership, motivation, and responsibility with ethical values. This initiative, which aims to balance food production economically and guide it sustainably, also focuses on increasing efficiency by integrating technology and digital tools into the sector.

Veterinarian and microbiologist Dr. Nihan Buğdaycı is a seasoned professional with significant experience in various areas such as quality assurance, salmonella control, flock management, antibiotic usage, good agricultural practices, and nutrition planning, gained at prestigious companies in the industry like Banvit and Matlı Yem. A graduate of Ege University Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science, Animal Science, and Agricultural Engineer Yasemin Karaman, after holding administrative roles in broiler production farms at Banvit A.Ş., including chick placement, budget planning, food safety, and occupational safety, set sail into the entrepreneurial field.

Providing information about their venture established in 2020, Dr. Nihan Buğdaycı and Yasemin Karaman state, “The most crucial aspect for us is human health. The main reason behind taking the entrepreneurial step, blending skills such as communication, leadership, motivation, and responsibility with principles of respect, compassion, honor, and conscience, was to spread an ethical and sustainable perspective in the industry and focus on these values. This mission transforms İş’in Guru’su into not just a business but also a force supporting positive change in the sector.” Buğdaycı and Karaman also emphasize the opportunities provided by government-supported grant programs for businesses, producers, young entrepreneurs, and sector stakeholders in the agriculture and livestock sector. They express that these supports enable investment, establishing new facilities, or modernizing existing systems.

In the interview, we discussed topics such as the current state of the agriculture and livestock sector in Turkey, challenges and opportunities. Additionally, we talked about İş’in Guru’su’s approach to sustainable agriculture, its effects during the pandemic, and its future goals.

Below are the answers from the founders of İş’in Guru’su to our questions:

What is the mission and vision of İş’in Guru’su? What inspired you to initiate this venture?

Combining our communication, leadership, motivation, and responsibility-taking skills with the principles of respect, compassion, honor, and conscience, we aimed to take the entrepreneurial step. In September 2020, we established the partnership of İş’in Guru’su. By trademarking the name Business Guru, our goal is to announce our presence not only in our country but also globally under the umbrella of animal and plant production.

We offer our professional expertise to industry consultants by synthesizing our knowledge and experience with high-level, up-to-date global data. Placing human health at the forefront, our primary duty is to provide consultancy by adopting ethical methods in animal husbandry and plant production. We contribute to the industry by keeping food production in balance between income and expenses, ensuring maximum benefit economically.

How do you evaluate the current status of the agriculture and livestock sector in Turkey? In your opinion, what are the primary challenges and areas of opportunity?

In Turkey’s agriculture and livestock sector, enterprises are generally family-owned. This leads to traditional, ancestral production. Energy and input costs rise due to the lack of professional and cooperative organizations. Producers are in a weak position when marketing their products and do not set the price when selling to intermediaries; producer organizations are not effective in the market. This leads to a decrease in cultivated land and livestock numbers.

Irrigation stands out as one of the major agricultural challenges in our country. Achieving effective management and efficient utilization of water resources requires high-level coordination and collaboration, necessitating the development of urgent policies. The possibility of implementing a form of agriculture where natural resources are used efficiently and the ecosystem is protected lies in sustainable irrigation and soil management.

Within the framework of grant programs offered by state institutions, businesses, producers, young entrepreneurs, and sector stakeholders can make investments in agriculture and livestock breeding. They have the opportunity to establish new facilities or modernize their existing systems.

How does İş’in Guru’su incorporate technology and digital tools to assist the agriculture and livestock sector? Could you share anecdotes or highlight key milestones that signify your success?

Technology plays a crucial role in achieving sustainable and efficient production in agriculture and animal husbandry. We offer a fresh perspective by directly communicating the maximum benefits that will arise in areas such as increased productivity, quality and health management, early warning systems, and modernizations. Through cost-benefit analysis, we present alternative outcomes for technological investments and applications, including automation, industrial automation technologies, and energy investments.

What are the notable trends in the agriculture and livestock sector at both the national and global levels?

We believe that the primary advancement lies in “knowledge.” In this context, our colleagues, operating at both managerial and technical service levels, should possess fundamental economic and business knowledge and techniques. The utilization of solar energy, implementation of energy-efficient growth strategies, and adoption of geothermal applications are crucial. Sustainable agricultural practices are gaining global prevalence. Applications under precision agriculture and closed farming contribute to boosting agricultural efficiency. Technologies such as advanced technology, sensors, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and automation are prominently emerging. Closed farming technologies provide advantages like better control of environmental factors and increased productivity.

Sustainability emerges as a critical theme across all sectors. Could you articulate İş’in Guru’su’s stance on sustainable agriculture?

At İş’in Guru’su, we regard sustainability as our responsibility to future generations. The preservation of resources on our planet and in Turkey is the most crucial criterion. Therefore, it is imperative to enhance ecological, economic, and social conditions and raise awareness among both producers and consumers. Encouraging young farmers to sustain their lives in rural areas is essential. We are dedicated to concentrating on systematic practices for the sustainability of adequate and quality production.

How crucial is R&D for your entrepreneurship? Are there any ongoing or upcoming projects that you can provide us with a hint about?

We generate innovative solutions for our clients and engage in systematic efforts to enhance their existing systems. We persist in providing support to our clients through our accumulated knowledge and professional experience.

How does İş’in Guru’su ensure the sharing of the latest knowledge and best practices among farmers and stakeholders?

We convey our information through written and visual communication tools, as well as through social media, farm visits, and sectoral engagements.

How has COVID-19 impacted the agriculture and livestock sector? In your opinion, what lasting effects has the pandemic left, and what lessons has it taught the industry?

The coronavirus pandemic has established new standards in terms of social, cultural, and vital activities. This situation reminded us all of the importance of animal and plant production, placing it in the category of essential needs for the future.

Throughout the pandemic and with the measures taken, including curfews, society was dragged into an isolated life. The isolation of social life also caused negativities in the production chain. Accordingly, as in many countries, there were problems in maintaining the continuity of the production chain in Turkey. However, the agricultural sector was one of the first sectors to be affected. People made an effort to meet their basic needs rather than indulging in expensive goods. Because nutrition is vital for people to survive, strengthen their immune system, and stay healthy. During the pandemic, it was seen that the most important problem was delivering healthy and sufficient food to people. The importance of domestic production emerged, and with it, the significance of small producers and family farmers became apparent. 

Are there any partnerships or collaborations that especially bring joy to İş’in Guru’su or are being planned for the future?

Certainly, there are. Our references hold great value for us. This provides us with the opportunity to reach a diverse range of producers and establish partnerships as solution providers.

Where do you envision İş’in Guru’su in the next 5-10 years? How would you like to articulate the roadmap ahead?

Being a part of the production and consumption stages in our current industry, and steering it by providing technical contributions, is crucial. This enables us to closely monitor the demands and needs of every segment. We aim to sustain this collaboration both locally and globally.

What advice would you offer to young professionals or start-ups aspiring to make a mark in the agriculture and livestock sector?

They can engage in investments under the umbrella of grant and support programs offered by government institutions. It is crucial for them to prioritize decision-making and subsequently share their goals with us.

Finally, what messages would you like to share with the readers of Feed Planet?

We stand by you in animal and plant production, always prioritizing quality without making any compromises.