Factors affecting the adoption of new generation agricultural practices by fresh fruit and vegetable producers, their awareness levels, and solution proposals

The agricultural sector is undergoing a significant transformation in the face of rapid technological advancements and changing environmental conditions. Within this transformation, next-generation agricultural practices offer advantages in terms of productivity, quality, and sustainability. However, producers' adoption of these practices is influenced by various factors. The aim of this study is to examine the factors affecting the adoption of next-generation agricultural practices among fresh fruit and vegetable producers in Turkey. These factors include access to information and technology, economic conditions, education levels, and existing agricultural policies. The agricultural sector is of great importance not only for food security and supply but also for the preservation of biodiversity and the achievement of sustainable farming. Therefore, identifying the barriers to adopting next-generation agricultural technologies in Turkey and making the transition processes toward modern agricultural practices more efficient is of critical significance. Within the scope of this study, 157 surveys were conducted through face-to-face interviews with fresh fruit and vegetable producers operating in Adana, Mersin, and İzmir using a probabilistic sampling approach, and 152 valid survey responses were analyzed. Based on the data obtained from the fieldwork carried out between November 2024 and February 2025, producers' awareness and adoption processes regarding next-generation agricultural technologies were evaluated. The field survey included multiple-choice and Likert-scale questions on demographic information, production data, agricultural practices and knowledge of climate change, information on alternative products, knowledge and awareness of innovative agricultural technologies, and awareness of agricultural financial instruments. The findings are expected to contribute to a better understanding, assessment, and enhancement of Turkish fresh fruit and vegetable producers' approaches toward next-generation agricultural practices. Moreover, the results are anticipated to provide valuable insights for the development of strategies that will benefit both producers and policymakers. Through this study, a dataset has been generated based on the findings that aim to improve the understanding of Turkish fresh fruit and vegetable producers' perspectives on next-generation agricultural practices. It is expected that this dataset will facilitate the development of ideas and policies to address existing challenges and contribute to strategies designed to achieve sustainability and productivity goals in the agricultural sector.