Socio-economic analysis of almond production in the province of şanliurfa

This thesis aims to examine the socio-demographic and economic characteristics of almond producers in Şanlıurfa province, identify the major challenges encountered during the production process, and analyze producers' attitudes towards establishing producer associations. The primary data of the research were obtained through face-to-face surveys conducted in 2024 with 87 almond producers in Şanlıurfa. In addition, the analysis was supported by secondary data derived from relevant academic sources and official statistics. According to the findings, the majority of the producers have at least a high school education. The average household size was found to be 4.65 persons, and the average farming experience was 24.41 years. The average almond cultivation area was determined as 123.46 decares, while yield per tree was calculated as 3.22 kg. While producers' perceptions of earning sufficient profit from almond production were relatively low, their belief in the potential success of establishing a producer association was relatively high. The most frequently reported challenges included high input costs, pest and disease management, lack of technical knowledge, irrigation problems, and marketing difficulties. Based on the results of the study, it is recommended to strengthen extension services for producers, improve irrigation infrastructure, support the formation of producer associations, and develop region-specific agricultural support policies to enhance the sustainability of almond production. Furthermore, due to the study's limitation to Şanlıurfa province and its restricted sample size, it is suggested that future research be conducted in different regions with broader sample groups to obtain more generalizable findings.