The Effect of Cooperatives Producing Non-Wood Forest Products on Rural Development: The Example of Kozak Subdistrict Agricultural Development Cooperative in Turkey

Abstract

ABSTRACT Pine nuts from stone pine are important non-wood forest products produced in Turkey. Thus, cooperative organizations engaged in the production and marketing of pine nuts play an important role in the development of forest villages in Turkey. This study reports and evaluates the effect of Kozak Subdistrict Agricultural Development Cooperative on economic development of the township. In this regard, a survey was conducted with 190 participants, and data were evaluated statistically. After villagers participated in this cooperative, forest villagers’ income from pine nuts increased and constituted 59.8% of total household income. Although the cooperative has no effect on the animal production of forest villagers, it has positive effects on migration, income level, agricultural production, land used for pine nut cultivation, fuel use and standards of living. Therefore, the number of cooperatives utilizing non-wood forest products should be increased, and efforts should be made to conserve non-wood forest products to increase their added value and sustainable use in the future.