MAKÜ's accumulation of reproductive biotechnology in animal husbandry meets Bosnia and Herzegovina

The MAKÜ delegation first visited Turkey's Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Emin Akseki, as part of the Bosnia and Herzegovina program. Later, a comprehensive working meeting was held with the Minister of Agriculture, Water Management, and Forestry of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kemal Hrnjić, under the coordination of the embassy. Representatives from Turkey's Embassy in Sarajevo and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) also attended the meeting.

During the discussions, the support for sperm production from high genetic value breeding stock, the dissemination of artificial insemination practices, and a project aimed at increasing livestock productivity were addressed. The study aims to establish a sustainable production infrastructure that will protect Bosnia and Herzegovina's animal genetic resources.

The project is planned to be developed in a multi-stakeholder structure with the contributions of MAKÜ, Sarajevo University, International University of Sarajevo (IUS), TİKA, and the relevant agricultural and livestock institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

At the meeting, MAKÜ's capacity in veterinary medicine, animal husbandry, and advanced reproductive technologies was introduced. Information was provided about the genetic improvement, embryo production, and embryo transfer studies conducted at the university's approximately 3,000-acre application farm.

The scientific backbone of the project is formed by the accumulation of the MAKÜ Embryo Biotechnology Application and Research Center (GETEM). GETEM, which has official embryo production authorization approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Turkey, is the only center operating within a university in Turkey.

GETEM's expertise in embryo production, embryo transfer, and advanced reproductive biotechnologies will provide a technical basis for the sperm production and artificial insemination studies planned to be developed in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was emphasized that expert human resources, modern technology, compliance with regulations, and biosecurity measures to prevent diseases will be decisive in this process.

Rector Dalgar stated that Bosnia and Herzegovina has significant potential in animal husbandry due to its climate and geographical features, saying, “This initiative will be one of the exemplary applications of scientific diplomacy in the field. Expertise will be shared, joint capacity will be developed, and knowledge will turn into production. We will transform MAKÜ's specialization and institutional capacity in agriculture and animal husbandry into lasting partnerships that produce results between Turkey and sister geographies. I thank our Ambassador Mr. Emin Akseki for his close interest and support, Minister Kemal Hrnjić for his constructive approaches, TİKA, and all our stakeholders.”

Technical contacts between the two countries had previously begun with mutual visits. Academics from Bosnia and Herzegovina examined MAKÜ's practices in Burdur on-site, while the GETEM delegation visited the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Sarajevo University in July under the coordination of TİKA. With the latest contacts, a new phase has been reached towards transforming the process into an institutional collaboration.

The possibility of establishing a center where high genetic value reproductive materials will be produced and used was also brought to the agenda. It was evaluated that this structure should be planned in accordance with the country's regulations and sectoral needs, and that MAKÜ could contribute to the process with its expertise.