Hello, you may have heard of einkorn wheat. There are many articles on this subject on the internet. Rather than telling you about the benefits of einkorn wheat, I would like to tell you why we cannot evaluate this invaluable value, even if I would not exaggerate, this product, which will revolutionize our agriculture, which is intended to be consumed.
I want to make an open call to our Ministry of Agriculture, create a project. According to my calculations, which will cover Central Anatolia and South East Anatolia, by determining at least 2 million (ha) and above cultivation areas, 2.5 - 3 tons/ha can be obtained with good agricultural methods.
This situation shows that; According to the estimations of the World Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), world wheat production was 724.9 million tons as of 2014. As of the same year, 19 million tons were produced on a production area of 7.7 million hectares in Turkey. In short, with this project, we can produce 30% of the total wheat produced in Turkey by using only 25% of the wheat production area in 2014. This project is not a project to be carried out on its own, support from TİGEM must be obtained and even included in the project. Unfortunately, I saw that 18 of the 35 enterprises in Turkey were rented. I did my internship in Dalaman enterprises in 93, these institutions were working as a place of application for our farmers in the regions where they were located, as well as a school. Unfortunately, the fact that more than half of them were rented is an indication that they have not been managed well in the last 20 years. Wheat production has an economic and strategic importance in the world. Wheat; It has been the basis of nutrition for thousands of years and constituted the basis of self-confidence and stability in society. It has the largest share among agricultural products produced in Turkey. Wheat is a social and cultural value, as well as a historical and even archaeological value, in addition to its undeniable nutritional and economic importance in our country. An urgent plan should be put into effect for einkorn wheat (There is a 7000-8000 decares of einkorn wheat cultivation area in Kastamonu region), which is a product so valuable that it will not be stuck only in Kastamonu in Turkey.
In the caves of Çatalhöyük in the Neolithic period, two types of wheat grains planted in the first agricultural villages were found; 1. Einkorn ( Triticummonococcum L. ) with 14 chromosomes (local name einkorn wheat) 2. Einkorn ( Triticumdicoccum ) wheat with 28 chromosomes . In later periods, 28-chromosome durum wheat ( Triticum durum ) and 42-chromosome bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) species emerged, which are much easier to process due to their coarse grain, tall and hull-free nature. Einkorn means "single core" in German. This grain got its name from the presence of a single grain in each spikelet or from the husk surrounding the grain. Einkorn, which was grown 12 thousand years ago, is known as the ancestor of wheat.
It is accepted that the wheat-human relationship started around Urfa in Southeast Anatolia about 14 thousand years ago, and einkorn wheat, known as the ancestor of wheat, was first cultivated in Urfa Karacadağ 12 thousand years ago and spread all over the world from there. Siyez wheat is among the rare agricultural cultural heritages that have survived to the present day by preserving its form in ancient times.
- Despite its low productivity against cold and heat, diseases and poor nutrient-deficient soils, einkorn wheat is a more resistant species than bread and durum wheats, thanks to its ability to adapt, its nutritive qualities are high and its agriculture is low cost despite its very low productivity. Resistance to diseases and pests and the development of organic agriculture have led to an increase in interest in this wheat.
- It is stated that gliadin and glutenin ratios, which constitute the gluten fraction of einkorn wheat, are lower than other wheat types. In studies, it was stated that the ratio of gliadin to gluten was 2:1, and this ratio was 0.8:1 in bread and durum wheat.
- When einkorn wheat is compared with bread wheat; the fat content is 50% higher and ranges from 2.8-4.2 g/100 g.
- Compared to bread wheat, einkorn wheat has higher monounsaturated fatty acids and lower polyunsaturated fatty acids and saturated fatty acids.
- In studies on sugar content of einkorn wheat; It was determined that the total sugar was 26.7 g/kg, and besides the most abundant sucrose, fructose, glucose and maltose sugars were also found.
- When the vitamin content of einkorn wheat is examined; Folic acid content, which plays a role in the formation of blood cells and the prevention of anemia, was found to be 429-678 mg/kg on average.
- In addition to the health benefits associated with whole grain consumption, it is noteworthy that einkorn wheat is higher in phenolic compounds, tocopherols and carotenoids as functional components compared to other wheat types.
- Compared to modern wheat, einkorn wheat has 2 times carotenoids, 3-4 times lutein, 4-5 times more riboflavin and pyridoxine. In addition, it has been reported that thanks to its higher phytosterol content than bread wheat, it helps to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood and is effective in preventing stomach, uterus and breast cancers . Phytosterol, one of the plant sterols, is structurally similar to cholesterol and helps in protecting heart health and preventing common cancers such as colon , breast and bowel cancer . Carotenoids, one of the fat-soluble antioxidants, are involved in the biosynthesis of vitamin A, which has many biological functions. Vitamin A has important functions in visual impairment , preventing the formation of free radicals and protecting against cancer . Plant metabolites such as polyphenols can play a preventive role against diseases such as coronary heart diseases and cancer with their protective effects against oxidative damage in humans. Celiac disease is an inappropriate immune system response to wheat gluten and some alcohol-soluble barley and rye proteins, triggered by the consumption of gluten-containing wheat, barley, rye and oat foods, causing irregularity in the small intestine. Today, the only treatment method for celiac patients is to be fed with a gluten-free diet.
If this project is realized, I believe that it will be a hope for our farmers, who have not smiled for a long time, let alone its contribution to the country. The name of the project is ready ADS “ Archaeological Value Siyez ”.