The impact of democratic party era politics on agricultural life: The case of Erzurum province

This study aims to examine the transformations in Turkey following World War II and the impact of the power shift on political and social life with the transition to a multi-party system after the Single-Party Period. In this context, the study explores the political and social realities Turkey faced after the war, despite not participating in it, with a detailed evaluation of the agricultural transformation and development process implemented within the framework of Erzurum Province. The system change that occurred after this turbulent period brought about a profound transformation, with Turkey's transition to a multi-party system in 1946 playing a decisive role in this process. With the Democratic Party (DP) coming to power, an agricultural reform process began throughout Turkey, characterized by innovation and modernization in the agricultural sector. Farmers were introduced to new agricultural tools, provided through foreign aid, allowing them to increase their production capacities. Significant developments also took place in the political, social, and economic structure of Erzurum with the DP's rise to power. These developments were reflected in the press of the time, and the effects of the DP's ascendancy on political and social life in Erzurum were thoroughly covered in Hür Söz newspaper following the 1950 elections. The study examines the agricultural policies implemented by the DP in Erzurum from the beginning of its rule, based on news articles and editorials from local newspapers of the period, particularly Hür Söz newspaper. It explores how Erzurum's farmers were affected by these changes, how new agricultural techniques and modern tools were integrated into the lives of farmers, the challenges encountered during this process, and the successes achieved. In this context, news articles, editorials, and interviews from local newspapers of the period have provided insights into the social life and agricultural development process in Erzurum, enabling a better understanding and evaluation of these aspects. As a result of the study, it was determined that the societal changes in Turkey during the DP's ten-year rule were also reflected in Erzurum Province, where significant policies were implemented to develop agricultural activities. In this regard, it was found that policies promoting the adoption of modern agricultural tools and techniques, the expansion of agricultural credit facilities, and the enlargement of agricultural market networks were prominent in Erzurum during the DP era. These findings indicate that significant agricultural policies were designed and implemented during the DP's rule to increase agricultural production and improve the welfare of farmers in Erzurum.