Analysis of the Factors Having Effect on the Size of Animal Husbandry Farms: The Case of Erzurum Province

摘要

This study was conducted in 8 districts thought to represent Erzurum province regarding social, economic and cultural aspects with the aim to determine the factors having effects on the farm size. Study data were analysed by using cross tabulation and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) techniques in GRETL statistical package software. Analysis of the data revealed that 60% of the respondents had an annual income between 5000 and 9000 TL as 66.6% of them had only primary school degree and 57.6% of them fell between 35 and 54 age group. It was also determined that 54.5% operated farm just only for family comsumpton while 54.5 had animal asset equal or <15 heads. As a determinant of farm size, number of big ruminants was considered. Factors having effect on the farm size were determined to be commercial production, forage crop acreage, age, education and income levels of the farmer, membership to the cooperatives and making use of agricultural supports. It was concluded that in order to increase the farm size extension studies and policy measures towards promoting farmers for commercial production, membership to cooperatives and increasing the acreage of forage crops should be considered.