A study on pasture utilization in small ruminant production in Şanlıurfa province

Small ruminant breeding activity is very important in terms of ensuring rural development and public nutrition. Pasture areas play a major role in ensuring the economic continuity of small ruminant breeding activities. Şanlıurfa province has suitable opportunities for small ruminant farming activities with its pasture existence. In this study, it was aimed to examine the details regarding the pasture use of small ruminant breeders who continue their activities within the borders of Şanlıurfa province, to identify the problems they experience in pasture use and to develop solution suggestions. According to the records of Şanlıurfa Breeding Sheep Goat Breeders Association, there are approximately 6 000 small ruminant breeders in Şanlıurfa province. A face-to-face survey was conducted to obtain the main material of the study, and the number of small ruminant breeders to be interviewed was determined as 162 people, with a 99% confidence interval and 10% deviation from the mean. As a result of the interviews, it was determined that the socio-demographic and economic findings of the small ruminant breeders in the research area were similar to the findings found in other academic studies. However, it was determined that the satisfaction level of the small ruminant breeders interviewed in the research area was higher than the satisfaction level determined in other academic studies. The most important findings that emerged in the research field regarding pasture use are that pasture areas are occupied, pasture improvement is not carried out, and as a result, these areas are losing their pasture quality. The socio-demographic structure of Şanlıurfa province has a great impact on the formation of this situation. As a matter of fact, during the research process, it was observed that strong families in rural areas and individuals with strong ties to the political authority were occupying pastures by using them for purposes other than their intended purpose. To prevent pasture occupations, inspections in the research area should be increased, the boundaries of pasture areas should be clearly stated, and penal sanctions against occupations should not be compromised. Failure to carry out studies on pasture improvement throughout the province causes pastures to become inefficient and lose their quality. It is of great importance to ensure the cooperation and actual participation of small ruminant breeders in the studies in terms of carrying out studies on pasture improvement and the protection and sustainability of pasture areas. As a result, small ruminant breeding is an important type of agricultural activity for Şanlıurfa province and is of great importance in terms of ensuring both rural development and social development. Economically meeting the roughage need, which is of great financial importance in small ruminant farming activities, is only possible with the effective use of pastures. Therefore, for both the effective use of the country's resources and the sustainability of animal husbandry, problems such as loss of quality of pastures and shrinkage of areas due to occupations must be solved as soon as possible.