Agricultural Mechanization in Turkey

Turkey is one of the few countries in the World which are self-sufficient in food. Total tractor number was 1 125 001 for 2011. Number of tractor power ranged between 50-70 HP is 422 389. Total combine number is 14 313. 4148 of the are older than 20 years. This situation causes increasing harvesting losses. Number of the plough was 1 025 892. Farm trailers number was 1 074 764, sprayers 291 505, pneumatic sowing machine 27105, Cereals sowing machine 119 819, centrifugal spreader 371 771. Turkey's agricultural mechanization indicators are 56.25 tractor/1000 ha, 2.42 kW/ha, 17.78 ha/tractor, 444.65 tractor/1000 tract/ha. Agricultural mechanization indicators of Turkey are better than their neighbours, except Greece. However, Turkey is behind the developed countries according to the agricultural mechanization indicators There are 13 tractors manufacturer and more than 1000 agricultural machinery manufacturers in Turkey. Export of tractor and agricultural equipment and machinery in Turkey gradually increases and contribute to the economy of the country. Despite a strong Tractor manufacturers firms, there are many small agricultural machinery manufacturers. Agricultural mechanization problems may vary due to regions but main agricultural mechanization problems are; small scale and fragmented farming, unnecessary tractor and agricultural machinery selection, Lack of knowledge on effective and proper usage, maintenance of tractor and agricultural machineries and old combine and tractor Park. Agricultural mechanization policies of Turkey must help farmers to buy agricultural machineries which need less energy for improving yield and quality. In addition, control systems for preventing excessive inputs and yield monitors etc. will also be supported by policy makers to protect environment. (C) 2013 The Authors, Published by Elsevier B.V.