Determination of agricultural mechanization level and tractor purchasing behaviors of agricultural enterprises in eskil district of Aksaray province

In this research, the agricultural structure, production, and mechanization characteristics of agricultural enterprises in the Eskil district of Aksaray province were determined. Data were obtained through face-to-face surveys conducted with 106 agricultural enterprises selected using the stratified sampling method in the Eskil district. As a result of the research, it was determined that the average farming duration was 34.8 years, the average age of the farmers was 45 years, the average number of family members was 4.75, and 44.34% of the farmers were high school graduates, while 5.66% had higher education degrees. It was determined that the enterprises owned an average of 226.93 da of agricultural land, with approximately 459.62 da of land per enterprise used for the production of 2.5 different crop types. In Eskil district, 68.87% of the enterprises cultivated wheat, 49.06% cultivated grain maize, 45.08% cultivated barley, 35.85% cultivated silage maize, 22.64% cultivated sugar beet, and 19.81% cultivated alfalfa. The study also found that the number of tractors per enterprise was 1.74, with an average tractor engine power of 137.34 kW per enterprise. The average tractor power was 79.12 kW, and the average tractor age was 5.45 years. Additionally, there were 6.81 implements and machines per tractor, with an average implement-machine weight of 6.07 tons per tractor. Regarding mechanization density, it was determined that there were 37.76 tractors per 1 000 ha, with each tractor working on 26.48 ha of cultivated land. The number of combine harvesters per 1 000 ha was found to be 0.62. In the Eskil district's tractor park, it was found that 79.89% of the tractors were within the 0–5 year age range, and 93.40% of the enterprises purchased their tractors as new. The obtained data were analyzed using factor analysis and logistic regression analysis. As a result of the factor analysis, it was determined that the factors influencing tractor purchasing behavior included equipment and operational features, information source, brand and dealership, pre-purchase planning, and service factors. According to the results of the logistic regression analysis, farmers' education level, the equipment and operational features factor, the service factor, and the variable of purchasing a tractor in the last five years were found to be statistically significant.