The contribution of agricultural production in Aydin province to the regional and national economy: An evaluation in the frame of consumer views

The agricultural sector is an area of economic activity that has a vital importance for all societies from past to present. In Turkey, which is a developing country, the agricultural sector is considered to be a sector that provides regional and national economic contributions in terms of employment, exports and creating inputs to the industrial sector, in addition to its importance in meeting the food demand. Aydın province, which is the focus of the research and whose economy is heavily based on agricultural production, is one of the leading provinces with especially fig, chestnut and olive-olive oil products. The aim of this research is to focus on the importance of agriculture in the Turkish economy, to make economic evaluations in the light of agricultural production data and consumers' perceptions of local products in the context of Aydın province, and to make inferences about the province's potential to contribute to regional and macroeconomic development. In addition, determining whether the demographic characteristics of consumers are effective in the perceptions of the contribution of local agricultural products to the economy has formed a sub-purpose of the research. Statistical data in the research were based on the reports of Aydın Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, Aydın Governorship and Turkish Statistical Institute. In addition, primary data were used to determine consumers' perceptions of the economic contribution of local agricultural products. Within the scope of this cross-sectional survey based on the quantitative research method, the data were accessed through online questionnaires by using the scale expressions developed by Altuntaş (2016). In this context, the answers of 421 participants aged 18 and over, who were determined by convenience sampling and who consumed the agricultural products of Aydın province, formed the data of the research. The findings of the study showed that consumers have an important perception that local agricultural products contribute to the regional economy, promotion and development. On the other hand, it is possible to say that the participants show perceptions that local products provide positive contributions in various aspects such as economic development, regional tourism, economy, solution of the employment problem in the region, and increase in exports. Some of the demographic variables considered showed significant statistical differences. The results revealed that the agricultural products of Aydın province make a significant economic contribution both regionally and macroeconomically and show the potential to offer more in the future periods.