Türkiye’nin Marmara Bölgesindeki Türk Zeytin Üreticilerinin İyi Tarım Uygulamalarını Benimsemesini Etkileyen Faktörlerin Belirlenmesi

Abstract

This study was carried out with 63 farmers using good agricultural practices (GAP) in olive production in five districts of Balıkesir, Bursa and Tekirdag provinces located in the Marmara Region of Turkey by conducting a questionnaire survey. The farmers with GAP certificate produce either Gemlik (71.4%) or (28.6%) Ayvalık varieties. Survey forms were handed out to contract-based producers in November 2017 during olive harvest period. The data were evaluated using SPSS statistical program. The results showed that average size of farms producing olive oil with GAP are generally 60-65 decares (da) in size. The average age of olive producers is 58.7, who have been producing olives for an average of 39 years with an average GAP experience of 2.4 years. A positive relationship was evident between lower level of education and late adoption of GAP. The most important problem faced by growers was Verticillium wilting, followed by olive fly in recent years. The study revealed that the absence of a significant difference in the prices of olives and olive oils grown with or without GAP reduced the attractiveness of GAP production. Moreover, because of the lack of price policy in olives grown with GAP, olives are marketed along with conventionally produced ones in an equal conditions in the domestic market.