Are You Happy to Be a Farmer? Understanding Indicators Related to Agricultural Production and Influencing Factors: GAP-Şanlıurfa, Turkey

Mustafa Hakkı Aydoğdu,Celal Kaya,Hatice Parlakçı Doğan,Mehmet Cançelik,Bahri Karlı,Zeliha Şahin,Nihat Küçük,Akif Yenikale,Mehmet Ali Çullu,Nusret Mutlu,Kasım Yenigün,Şevket Ökten,Uğur Beyazgül,Ayla Yenikale,Mehmet Reşit Sevinç,Gönül Sevinç

doi:10.3390/su132212663

Abstract

Recently, agricultural production areas and farmer numbers have been decreasing in Turkey, which has started to cause concern. This study aimed to analyze the satisfaction levels of farmers in different irrigation areas in the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP)-Şanlıurfa region, based on indicators related to agricultural production and influencing factors. The data were obtained through face-to-face surveys with farmers in 2020 and analyzed by logistic regression in STATA. According to the results, 43.3% of the farmers are happy to be farmers in the current situation, and 35.6% want their children to continue farming activities. It was determined that the area of irrigation, education level, income, and farming experience were statistically significant at different rates in terms of the happiness of the farmers. On the other hand, livestock, number of households, and land size were not statistically significant. While 27.5% of the participants were fully satisfied with the given public support, 15.7% were satisfied with the market selling prices of their products, and 43.5% stated that effective organizations are needed to live well. To ensure agricultural sustainability in the research area, there is a need for more agricultural support, effective extension services, and the development of rural tourism with the participation of the public and private sectors. This study was the first of its kind to be conducted in Turkey.

Highlights

All living things require energy to maintain their vital activities, which they obtain through nutrients
This study aims to analyze the satisfaction levels of farmers in different irrigation areas in the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP)-Şanlıurfa, based on certain indicators related to agricultural production and influencing factors
I do not have any problems in marketing the agricultural products I produce Participation Level. Effective organizations such as cooperatives, unions, and extension services are necessary to live well in rural areas. These results show that more public agricultural supports, organized structures, and effective agricultural extension activities are needed to ensure the income, welfare, and happiness of the farmers

Summary

Introduction

All living things require energy to maintain their vital activities, which they obtain through nutrients. Among the most important reasons for supporting agricultural production compared to other sectors are that it has higher risks and uncertainties, lower investment attractiveness, a slow rate of investment capital, limited storage and marketing opportunities in rural areas, and is performed in more natural environments and conditions than other industries [5,24,25]. Support policies may differ according to the social, political, and economic structures of each country These policies generally serve the purposes of directing the production of agricultural products, supporting the producer, raising the welfare level in rural areas, preventing migration to cities, fighting poverty, increasing the level of national welfare, and ensuring food security, as well as maintaining social, economic, and political balance [5,6,24,25,26,27,28]. Whichever criterion is chosen in the evaluation, poverty is higher in rural areas and declines more slowly there than in cities [29,30]

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