The Effects of Different Tillage Techniques on the Production Costs in Fallow-Wheat Rotation System

Abstract

The adoption and applicability of the technologies developed in agriculture by farmers are very important for agronomic studies. There are a limited number of economic studies comparing different tillage methods with each other. This study was conducted in the land of Polatlı Agricultural Enterprise between 2011 and 2017 to determine the amounts of physical production inputs and unit production costs of three different tillage operations in the fallow-wheat rotation system. The data consist of the production inputs in the Conventional Tillage, Minimum Tillage, and Direct Seeding practices. For the economic analysis, Single Product Budget Analysis was used. All the farmers’ production costs in the fallow-wheat rotation system were considered in the analysis. Among the practices, Gross Production Value (GPV) was obtained the most from the (509.63$ ha-1) practice. This practice was followed by Direct Seeding (486.13$ ha-1) and Minimum Tillage (421.92$ ha-1) practices, respectively. The profit threshold was exceeded in all practices, and production activities’ variable and total costs were fulfilled. The highest relative profit rate was obtained in Direct Seeding (1.77) practice, and it was followed by Conventional Tillage (1.30) and Minimum Tillage (1.08) practices, respectively. In order to obtain an income of $1 in wheat production, the lowest production cost was obtained in the Direct Seeding practice. With the Direct Seeding application, it can be ensured that economic wheat production, preservation of soil structure, reduction of input costs, and less economic damage to the farmer in changing climate conditions can be achieved.