Satellite Applications Catapult and Izmir Commodity Exchange to Collaborate on Satellite Connectivity for Agriculture
Marketing
London, UK, 10th APRIL 2025 – The Satellite Applications Catapult (Catapult), a leading UK space company accelerating the adoption of space technology and services, and Izmir Commodity Exchange (Izmir Ticaret Borsasi), a pioneering agricultural commodity exchange and Izmir Tarim Teknoloji Gelistirme Merkezi (ITTM), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the development of satellite enabled connectivity solutions to support the agricultural sector in Izmir, Türkiye.
The agricultural sector in Izmir accounted for over 3.26% of total production in Türkiye in 2020 and this MoU will see Catapult, ICE and ITTM working to enable satellite communications for these rural communities. The UK satcomms market accounts for 62% of UK space sector income, and this MoU will open new connections and markets for that knowledge and capability. ICE, ITTM and the Catapult intend to explore new opportunities that build on the results from the Connected Türkiye project (supported by the FCDO’s Science and Technology Network in Türkiye and funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)). This will include creating new co-designed programmes and developing links between UK and Turkish suppliers.
Building on the organisations’ expertise in the field, this MoU is an opportunity for collaboration between the United Kingdom and Türkiye. Leveraging Catapult’s unique knowledge of and connections to leading UK firms and ICE’s agricultural heritage, the organisations intend to identify and create commercial opportunities and partnerships to support access to satellite connectivity in Izmir.
Robert Edwards, Science and Technology Network Regional Manager for the Eastern Mediterranean in FCDO said, “I am thrilled to celebrate the signing of this MoU, which builds upon the longstanding tradition of exceptional UK-Türkiye collaboration in science and technology. The agriculture and space sectors hold immense significance for both our nations and the global community. By integrating these sectors, we can develop innovative solutions to persistent challenges, enhancing crop yields, soil quality, and resource efficiency. This initiative is a vital component of our efforts to combat climate change, and it underscores our commitment to a sustainable future.”
Mrs Isinsu Kestelli, Chairperson of both Izmir Commodity Exchange and Izmir Agricultural Technology Center said, “The Rural Connected Turkey project, funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and led by Satellite Applications Catapult (SAC), the Izmir Commodity Exchange, and the Izmir Agricultural Technology Center (İTTM), aims to develop connectivity solutions for next-generation agricultural technologies in rural areas of Turkey.
We believe that using next-generation technologies will play a significant role in improving rural communities and agriculture.
With this project, and by signing an MoU we aim not only to improve the connectivity for next-generation agricultural technologies but also to pave the way for innovative agricultural applications and sustainable rural development, enhancing the quality of life in rural areas and boosting agricultural productivity.”
Dr Ashweeni Beeharee, Head of Ubiquitous Connectivity of the Satellite Applications Catapult said, “The UK is home to numerous companies at the forefront of developing products and services that enable, as well as, utilize satcomms technologies. With the global satcomms market projected to reach £93 billion by 2030, new export markets are poised to boost the UK economy. We believe that the MoU signed with ICE today presents an excellent opportunity to collaborate closely and explore joint efforts in delivering connectivity projects in Izmir.”
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Notes for Editors
For media enquiries, please contact Satellite Applications Catapult Press Office: pressoffice@sa.catapult.org.uk
About the Satellite Applications Catapult
The Satellite Applications Catapult is an independent innovation and technology company, created by Innovate UK to grow the UK economy by supporting our best companies to accelerate the invention and adoption of space data and technology. Based in Harwell, Oxfordshire, the Catapult was established in May 2013 as one of a network of centres to accelerate the take-up of emerging technologies and drive economic impact for the UK. We are a not-for-profit research organisation which is registered as a private company limited by guarantee and controlled by its Board.
See www.sa.catapult.org.uk for more information.
About İzmir Commodity Exchange
The Commodity Exchanges are the associations with public statute and they are established to handle the purchase and sales of the goods quoted in the commodity exchange market and to determine, register and declare the prices of those goods in the market. Commodity exchanges, the supreme organisation of which is the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), are established in provinces where commercial needs require it, with the positive opinion of TOBB and the approval of the Ministry of Trade. Izmir Commodity Exchange (ICE), is the oldest commodity exchange established in Türkiye in 1891, which has 1902 members from 19 sub-professional groups. ICE is responsible for registration of more than 100 local agricultural products.
For more information visit: https://itb.org.tr/en/
About İzmir Tarim Teknoloji Geliştirme Merkezi
Izmir Agricultural Technology Center (ITTM) is a subsidiary of ICE that was initiated and established as a a project which aims at bringing together agriculture with technology under the leadership of the Izmir Commodity Exchange (ICE) and in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Türkiye with grant support from the Izmir Development Agency linked to the Ministry of Industry and Technology. It has been brought into an independent structure to implement an agricultural entrepreneurship ecosystem that will support stronger participation and integration of the information and communication sector in agriculture and the digital transformation of agriculture in order to make agricultural production sustainable, competitive and efficient. ITTM serves as a living lab by bringing public-private sector, academia and end-users (farmers and agrifood producers) together.
