Potato cultivation plays a vital role in the Turkish agricultural sector. However, ensuring the well-being of potato farmers and maximizing their productivity requires effective policy measures. A study takes a bottom-up approach, prioritizing the needs and expectations of farmers to determine the most beneficial support strategies.
Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up: Rethinking Agricultural Policy
Traditionally, agricultural support policies are often implemented from a “top-down” perspective, with decisions made without direct input from farmers. This study advocates for a shift towards a “bottom-up” approach, where farmer needs and preferences are central to policy design.
Putting Farmers First: Understanding Their Needs
This research focuses on potato producers as the target group, aiming to identify the policy components that provide the greatest benefit to them. To achieve this, the study takes the following steps:
- Data Collection: Micro-data was gathered from potato-growing enterprises located in Turkish provinces with intensive potato cultivation.
- Face-to-Face Surveys: Researchers conducted face-to-face surveys with farmers, directly capturing their demands and expectations.
Analyzing the Data: Identifying the Optimal Support Package
Researchers employed statistical analysis techniques to evaluate the collected data. This analysis revealed the most desirable policy components for potato producers in Turkey:
- Price and Payment Support: Farmers prefer above-market price support with a two-month payment term.
- Support Area and Amount: Financial support targeted towards potato production, with a specific rate per unit of cultivated area (USD 25.47 per hectare).
- Announcement Timing: Early announcement of support programs, ideally before planting, allows farmers to plan accordingly.
- Producer Declaration: A simple declaration system minimizes administrative burden on farmers.
The Bottom-Up Advantage: Maximizing Producer Benefit
The study highlights the advantages of a bottom-up approach:
- Targeted Support: By prioritizing farmer needs, policies can be tailored to directly address their challenges and enhance productivity.
- Increased Efficiency: Understanding farmer needs allows for more efficient allocation of resources within support programs.
- Improved Morale: When policies reflect their needs, farmers feel empowered and motivated to invest in their operations.
The Way Forward: A New Era of Farmer-Centric Policy
The study’s findings underscore the importance of a bottom-up approach in designing agricultural support programs in Turkey:
- Focus on Producer Benefit: The ultimate goal of support policies should be to maximize the benefit received by farmers.
- Ongoing Measurement: Regular monitoring of support programs is crucial to ensure they continue to meet the evolving needs of farmers.
- A Sustainable Future: Empowered and well-supported potato farmers are essential for a robust and sustainable agricultural sector in Turkey.
By prioritizing the needs of potato producers, this study paves the way for a new generation of agricultural support policies that are more effective, efficient, and ultimately lead to a more prosperous future for Turkish potato production.