Analysis of agricultural fertilizer usage in Trakya region

Fertilizers have an extremely important function for the sustainability of crop production. However, improper use of fertilizers can result in significant yield losses as well as economic and environmental problems. A survey was conducted with 300 producers in Thrace region (Edirne, Kırklareli and Tekirdağ) where intensive plant production was carried out. The socio-demographic information of the producers, the agricultural land, animals and machinery-equipment owned by the enterprise, the applied plant production system, and the factors that play a role in the preferences and awareness of farmers on fertilizers and fertilization practices etc were compiled. It was determined that 62.7% of the target population had primary education, 26.7% was secondary school, 7.3% was high school and 3.3% was undergraduate. The majority of the producers (98.8%) were identified as married and cooperative members. The farmers in the region have agricultural land at least 70% more than the average land per person in Turkey, and it was determined that 44% of the producers produce wheat, 45% produce sunflower, 6% produce canola, 4% produce corn and 2% produce barley. 60% of the producers produce cattle as well as crop production. Tractors, plows, sprayers, irrigation machines and baling machines were found in all of the enterprises, while 97-99% had trailers, fertilizing machines, crowbars, harrows and seeders, and 9.3% of the enterprises had harvesters. The producers use many different fertilizers, such as urea and calcium ammonium nitrate, depends on the intensive plant production system in the region. However, the majority of farmers (83%) use fertilizer based on their own experience rather than soil analysis. It was determined that only 20% of the producers have done soil analysis before, and 13% of the producers believe that soil analysis will have a positive effect on crop yield. In addition, it was found that 71% of the surveyed producers did not even know about leaf analysis and only 26% of them had previously participated in relevant trainings. Therefore, detailed farmer training programs are needed in the region. Besides, 72% of producers, with the objective to use for other purposes as well, is willing to make the fertilizer subsidies in cash. Due to recent economic developments in the country, 99% of the respondents stated that they would not increase fertilizer use even if there was an increase in their income. 75% of the producers stated that they were negatively affected by the increase in fertilizer prices and therefore expect fertilizer prices to fall or at least not to rise. They also stressed that if the price increase continues, some fertilizers may reduce their use by up to 30%. According to the results, fertilizer prices and / or subsidies should be improved in order to maintain crop production efficiently in the region.