Evaluation of the activities for geothermal energy production in terms of the farmers: The case studies for Aydın and Manisa regions

ABSTRACT EVALUATION OF THE ACTIVITIES FOR GEOTHERMAL ENERGY PRODUCTION IN TERMS OF THE FARMERS: THE CASE STUDIES FOR AYDIN AND MANİSA REGIONS Öztürk Y. Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Agricultural Economics, Master Thesis, Aydın, 2022. Objective: The main purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the activities for geothermal energy production (GEP) in two provinces, such as Aydın and Manisa, which have a very high agricultural production potential, by considering some parameters in terms of producers. In this context, producer characteristics, operating characteristics, thoughts on the change in product yield and quality according to the location of the operating lands to the Geothermal Power Plants (GPPs), and the predictions of the producers/business managers about geothermal energy production were tried to be revealed. In this research, the positive or negative effects of GEP in Turkiye on agricultural production and from which point of view they are handled are examined. Material and Methods: The main material of the research was the data obtained from the questionnaire forms made by face-to-face interviews with the producers in Aydın and Manisa provinces. Survey studies will be carried out with producers in regions where GPPs are concentrated. These regions are Germencik, Efeler, İncirliova, Sultanhisar and Köşk districts in Aydın province, and they are important villages in Alaşehir district in Manisa province. A survey was conducted with a total of 200 producers, 100 of which were producers in Aydın and Manisa provinces. In the determination of the sample, the criterion sampling method, which is one the non-probability sampling techniques, which is among the purposive sampling techniques, was used. In the study, data were collected based on the survey method. Results: The important findings and inferences obtained are also tried to be summarized below. It is determined that dried figs in agricultural enterprises in Aydın and vineyard cultivation in enterprises in Manisa constitute an important part of the enterprise product patterns. There is olive cultivation in the business product patterns of both provinces, and it is clarified that more intensive olive cultivation in carried out in Aydın. It is thought it is important to find perennial plants such as figs, vineyards and olives, especially close to the GPP, and to consider the life expectancy of these plants as well as yield and quality changes. When the annual plants are examined; it is defined that cotton and corn planting is at significant levels in Aydın, vetch and barley cultivation is done in both provinces, and alfalfa, which is a perennial plant, is produced at a significant level in bot provinces. It is discovered that various forage crops and vegetables are grown intensively in Aydın. Most of the land parcels owned by the enterprises are located approximately 1 km from the nearest GPP. In the selection of the enterprises to be surveyed, this feature is given special importance. In both provinces, it is stated that in the last ten-year period, when the activities to produce geothermal energy started, decreases in the yield and quality values of products such as vineyards, figs and olives, which are the main products in the enterprises. Similar findings are also valid for annual crops. Of course, since the results are not based on experimental and various chemical analysis results, it would not be very accurate to base these changes on the activities of GPP. However, in enterprises close tho the GPP, it is considered important to specify such observations and statements. On the other hand, producers can evaluate some parameters based on the results of soil, water, leaf, and plant analysis they have made and their own observations (soil, irrigation water and groundwater, drinking water, biological life characteristics, toxic and normal toxic substances released into various rivers and streams, negative odors such as rotten eggs, etc.) it is discovered that the changes are mostly negative. It is determined that the thoughts of the producers for a balanced, healthy, and sustainable life are not very positive. In general, most generators stated that "GPP is an important renewable energy source", "GE should be used for electricity generation." are found to agree with their statements. This finding is that manufacturers believe that GPPs do not have negative effects on agricultural products, animal production, human health, and the environment. Most businesses do not agree with the statements regarding the statements, in other words, they believe that GPP activities have negative effects on the above-mentioned facts. It is considered that these approaches are very important and that their evaluation together and separately has a unique importance in terms of economics, sociological and sustainability. Majority of the producers "It is thought that the GPP activities are effectively controlled.", "It is predicted that they have the GEP re-injection activities." It was determined that they did not agree with their statements. On the other hand, "GE can be used effectively in agricultural activities such as greenhouse cultivation.", "GE can be used in urban heating as well as electricity generation.", " Common decisions can be taken by holding meetings with all stakeholders related to GPP.", "An inclusive data bank containing all data related to GPP activities and agricultural production in the region can be created.", "This data bank to be obtained will be published by Aydın Adnan Menderes University. It can be created under the coordination of the relevant units of the company.". It is defined that most of them have o positive attitude towards the statements and they believe that the studies on this subject are beneficial. Conclusion: As a result, it has been determined that most of the producers in Aydın and Manisa provinces believe that the GE contributes significantly to electricity generation and that its use in modern agricultural systems such as greenhouse cultivation and city heating will be very beneficial. On the other hand, it is clarified that they believed that there were significant decreases in the yield and quality of perennial plants such as figs, vineyards and olives, as well as some annual plants such as cotton and corn, in the agricultural lands near the GPP and GPPs in the last ten years. In addition, it is stated that the inspections made in the GPP were not effective enough. For this reason, it is foreseen that a sustainable agricultural production will be possible with adequate and effective controls of GPP activities fo GE production. Keywords: Geothermal Energy, Agricultural Production, Animal Production, Sustainability, Producer Opinions.