Economic analysis of agricultural chemical applications in vineyards production in Turkey: a case study of Isparta Province

The main objective of this study was to determine the amounts and types of agricultural chemicals used in vineyards as one of the most important products of Turkey and to analysis the farm-level economic losses amount and cost of agricultural chemicals use in comparison with application levels used by growers and suggested in vineyards production by extension units and pesticide prospectus. Furthermore, growers' agricultural chemicals use practices were also determined. A survey was conducted using a face to face questionnaire with 68 vineyards producers from Central, Keciborlu, Yalvac and Senirkent districts of the Isparta province where there is intensive vineyards production. The farms were chosen by simple random sampling method. Chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between the dosages of agricultural chemicals used by farmers and practices of agricultural chemicals use of growers and their socio-economic characteristics. In this study, it was also calculated that the cost of plant protection (pesticide and pesticide application costs) per hectare was determined as (sic) 404.77 having the portion of 47.16% of average production cost. Results of this research show that average usage of agricultural chemicals are 56 821.90 g per hectare as an active ingredient. The percentages of used agricultural chemicals are 83.13%, 14.29% and 2.58% sulphur, copper sulfate and pesticides, respectively. It was determined that use of pesticides in grape growing was 1 466.50 g ha(-1). The percentages of used pesticides are 66.53% and 33.47% fungicide and insecticide, respectively. In the research area, the excess use of pesticide was determined in the vineyards production. It was calculated that economic loss was (sic)47.82 per hectare due to overdose of agricultural chemicals. The percentages of this loss are 41.90%, 33.90% and 24.20% pesticides, copper sulfate and sulphur, respectively. It was calculated that economic loss was (sic)20.04 per hectare due to overdose of pesticides. The percentages of this loss are 52.87% and 47.13% insecticide and fungicide, respectively. Chi square test analysis showed that, there was a significant relationship between dosages of pesticides used by farmers and listening agriculture related program on radio, information needs in disease, insects and pests management, applying protective pesticides and experiencing health problems after exposed to pesticides.