A study on the reasons for choosing/not choosing organic production and the tendency of farmers to continue/abandon organic production in Siilifke district of Mersin province

The aim of this study is to examine the reasons for choosing / not choosing organic production and the tendency to continue / abandon organic production of organic farmers in Silifke district of Mersin province. The main material of the study consists of the data obtained from face-to-face surveys with organic farmers who are engaged in organic farming and who have abandoned organic production in Gündüzler and Kepez neighborhoods of Silifke district of Mersin province. In the research, there are two main masses as producers who are engaged in organic production (continuing) and producers who (abandoned) organic agriculture. In the study, a total of 22 producers were surveyed, 17 of whom continued organic production and 5 of whom abandoned organic production. The socioeconomic and business characteristics of the producers who are engaged in organic production and some of the producers who have given up organic production are tabulated this resecrch. The answers to the survey questions were interpreted using descriptive statistical analysis methods. At the end of this study, which examined the reasons for choosing / not choosing organic production and the tendency of organic farmers to continue / abondoned organic production, it is seen that the participants are satisfied with farming and their average satisfaction with organic farming income is at the level of "sometimes". It can be said that the participants started organic production because of the high price, market and sales guarantee. At the end of the study, when the factors that were effective in the participants' continuation of organic production were examined, it was seen that the statements "the support payment given by the government" and "my health and the health of the workers" stood out with the highest average. It is seen that the factors that may be effective in organic production in the future are more than one. These factors; high prices, market guarantee, increase in demand for organic products, other farmers' orientation towards organic production and increase in training activities for production have been emphasized at the level of "definitely affect". The lowest average was found to be "decrease in costs" "slightly affects". When the averages of the question "Do you think of organic production again?" about the participants' desire to produce organically again, it is seen that the answer "never" is given. When the averages of the question "Would you recommend organic production to others?" are examined, it is seen that the answer "I would never consider" is given. In this case, it can be said that the participants who gave up organic production do not think of returning to organic production.