The problems and solitions of avocado manufacturers : The sample of Alanya

Avocado; It is a fruit that is produced by approximately 2700 producers in the Alanya district of Antalya, is profitable, nutritious and increasingly popular with its high yield. In addition to the increase in the production of this tropical fruit, producers are faced with various problems and difficulties. Studies on the problems of avocado producers and their solution suggestions are seen as insufficient in the literature. In this study, in order to determine the problems of avocado producers and their solution suggestions, one-on-one interviews were conducted with the Western Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute, Alanya District Agriculture Directorate, State Hydraulic Works 134th Regional Directorate Water User Association Presidency, Chamber of Agriculture Presidency, Avocado Union Presidency and leading avocado companies in the region in order to collect data with SWOT analysis on avocado in regional agriculture. When the SWOT analysis results were evaluated, it was determined that Alanya has strengths such as suitable climatic conditions, rapidly increasing demand for avocado, low production costs, and use of certified saplings, while receiving training on related subjects and high yield of avocado are seen as other positive features. However, the lack of organization prevents avocado producers from acting together, while it has been determined that factors such as early harvest, rapid urbanization, uncertified saplings, theft, lack of agricultural analysis, and irrigation water pricing problems negatively affect Alanya avocado producers. On the other hand, opportunities are examined, proximity to the European and Russian markets, the expansion of the domestic market, and the industrial use of avocados come to the fore; while climate change, increasing theft, declining water quality, uncontrolled production growth during the pandemic period and its effects today, and issues such as lack of education appear as threats.