Survey on production trends of olive farmers practicing good agriculture

This study was carried out by conducting a questionnaire survey to 63 farmers who use good agricultural practices (GAP) to produce olive in five towns belong to Balıkesir, Bursa and Tekirdag provinces in the Marmara Region. The olive producers with GAP certificate produce Gemlik 71.4% of and 28.6% Ayvalık olives. Survey forms for individual contractors who have signed contracts are given in November 2017, when the olive harvest was made. In order to avoid potential misunderstandings, farmers were filled questionnaires along with our presence and explained the purpose of the questions in case of necessity. The obtained data were transferred to the computer environment first. Then, properly formed data for statistical analysis were evaluated using SPSS statistical program. In the analysis of the obtained data, simple statistical methods such as averages and percentage calculations, frequency distributions, table and graphical representations were also used. Farm establishments producing olive oil with GAP are generally 6.0-6.5 hectares in size and the average age of olive producers is 58.7. The producers have been producing olives for an average of 39 years and their average experience is 2.4 years. The biggest problem faced by growers is Verticillium wilting. And also, olive fly has been a major problem for olive growers in some years. The lack of a price differences in olive and olive oils produced through GAP or conventionally reduces the attraction of production. Moreover, because of the lack of price policy in olives grown with GAP, olives are marketed with conventionally produced ones in an equal conditions in the domestic market.