Perception of the young farmers on the farming and the determination of their tendencies of engagement in farming in terms of sustainability of agricultural production: Case study of Isparta province

The purpose of this study is; comprehend of agricultural activity by young farmers in the rural area by the view of sustainable agricultural production and specify the farming propensities on city of Isparta. The main materials of the study are; datas obtained by the survey activity on 110 young farmers between the ages of 18-40 whom chosen from the villages and towns of Isparta that exemplify the city on the way of socio-economic and agricultural potential. In the study; socio-economic characteristics of young farmers who live in rural areas, types of agricultural activities, the reasons that keep them from activity of agriculture, the perception of farming by the rural youths were analyzed. Furthermore, viewpoints of young farmers who live in rural areas, about "The Young Farmers Support Project" that is executed all over the country were evaluated. The average age of the farmers was found to be 28.40 years in the surveyed establishments. The farmers were found to have 11.02 years of experience on average while their average duration of education was found to be 10.95 years. It was found that 89.09% of the young farmers have their own land. While the average establishment area was found to be 54.70 decares, the tilled land was found to have an average area of 51.98 decares. It was revealed that 47.27% of the young farmers have a profession other than agriculture. While 67.27% of the young farmers stated that they would continue farming, it was found that 32.73% of them were thinking of quitting farming. It was revealed that 30.91% of the young farmers wanted to migrate. Data were analyzed and interpreted via Chi Square Test and Factor Analysis in the study. Young farmers separated in two groups, earn money only from plant production and also from animal production and these groups as were tested by Khi Square analysis on the comprehend farming activity analysis result were showed that there are significant differences between these two groups on; "Leave farming in case of receiving a working proposal", "Agriculture sector is an important employment area for youths", "Support for youths are important motivation source", "The improvement of rural youths' socio-economic conditions increase the number of farmers who stay in village". The factor analysis executed for defining young farmer's attitudes and behaviors on farming. On reliability analysis that executed to Likert scale totally 19 variable Cronbach Alpha value was calculated 0.79 on the result of Factor Analysis 7 factor inconstants were detected. These 7 factor declaration ratio over all inconstants were %65.95 "Agricultural consciousness" factor had more factor load ant the importance of these factors was detected.