The current production status of chickpea plant and problems experienced during production (Çorum province Alaca district example)

This study discusses the production situation and problems experienced in the process from the production to the harvest time of the chickpea plant, which is one of the important legumes. As a region, the Alaca district of Çorum province, which has limited irrigation areas in terms of agricultural land and is suitable for chickpea plant production, has been selected. In the villages of Çorum province, Alaca district, the current production situation and the problems experienced in the production process were analyzed from the production moment of the chickpea plant to the marketing process. Input costs were determined during disease, pests, weeds, and harvest. In the information obtained from the Alaca Agriculture District Directorate before starting the research, it was learned that a total of 1079 farmers were registered in 87 villages producing chickpea plants, and it was stated that a total of 87,244 decares of chickpea plants were planted in 2022. A total of 321 farmers in 30 villages of these producers were included in the study. Thirty-eight questions were asked using the face-to-face survey method with the farmers in the study.When the information about the producers was evaluated, it was determined that most of the farmers also planted different herbal products, and they planted the chickpea product in agricultural areas where irrigation is rarely done. Generally, it has been determined that the farmers experience the same situation regarding the problems encountered in chickpea production. These problems begin with high input costs, diseases, pests, and weeds. In addition, some other crops, such as wheat and sunflower, are harvested during the harvest time of chickpeas. In this case, it has been observed that there are problems in finding a harvester. For example, the sunflower and chickpea harvest times coincide with the same period. During this period, a sunflower tray is attached to the harvester while the chickpea is harvested. Chickpea producers participating in the survey stated that the input costs are high and government support should be increased; they have difficulties in finding certified seeds, and they use plant growth regulators to get more yield, but these products are expensive, the problem of the chickpea harvester should be eliminated, the chickpea harvesting is more efficient when it is done manually, but they also expressed difficulties as it is expensive.