Examination of crop pattern change in the economic sustainability of agriculture

Abstract

Türkiye, in the 1980s, passed from an import substitution economic model to a free market economy. The agriculture sector has been the most affected by this transition. In this period, it was decided to abandon some production activities on the grounds that the deficit in the was due to country’s budget was due to price supports in agriculture. Farmers whose agricultural potential has narrowed their field of activity have changed their crop patterns by embarking on new searches. In this study, the results of the product pattern changes of the local farmers after the national policy change were examined in a sample field (Akhisar), and the problems experienced after the unplanned production pattern changes and the solution proposals in the transition period from Turkey’s protectionist agricultural policies to the liberal agricultural policies were examined. It is intended to be an example and a guide. In total, the opinions of 42 olive producers regarding their expectations from the state and other stakeholders in solving the problems they are experiencing after this change were analyzed with the qualitative method using the data obtained using the semi-structured question technique and the inductive approach. As a result, it was determined that the individual and courageous decisions taken by the farmers about product change forty years ago were not wrong, but in this process, the farmers experienced decreases in productivity and quality in production due to changes in climate, land structure and diseases. It has been determined that farmers need medium and long-term policies (structural and social tools) rather than short-term policies (price tools) currently applied. In addition, it has been concluded that the state should share the cost of crop pattern choices with farmers in order to ensure the sustainability of agriculture in the country.