Impact of agricultural supports on farmers decisions: The example of Mersin province

The agricultural sector in Turkey is of utmost importance due to its role in producing essential raw materials for food and industry, generating employment, and contributing to the national income and export share. In this context, it closely concerns all sectors in terms of its economic, social, and ecological dimensions. The agricultural sector not only influences other sectors but also facilitates growth in those sectors through increased agricultural production, making agriculture a strategic sector. Understanding the factors influencing farmer decisions is crucial for enhancing productivity and competitiveness in the agricultural sector, ensuring food security and reliability, and promoting the sustainability of natural resources and agricultural activities.in this context, this study aims to identify the factors influencing farmer decisions in agricultural production in Turkey, taking into account the socio-economic characteristics of farmers. The study also aims to highlight the importance of support policies, especially in the Mersin province and its districts, and provide recommendations for support tools to positively influence producer behaviors. The research population consists of farmers engaged in agricultural production within the borders of Mersin province in the year 2020. A total of 297 farmers were interviewed, and the collected data formed the material for the study. A chi-square analysis of the data was performed, and an ordinal logistic regression analysis was developed. Regarding the socio- economic aspect of farmers, the study found that approximately half of the farmers (50.8%) had completed primary education, 94.6% of the owned agricultural enterprises were small-scale, and about half of the farmers (48.2%) had social security. According to the findings of this research, the most important factors affecting farmers' production decisions are input and product supports (38.7%) and natural conditions (37.6%). Although agricultural support plays a crucial role in farmer decisions, its budgetary share has remained unchanged over the years. Keywords: Agricultural policy, Production, farmer.