Village Poultry Farming in the Canakkale and Antalya Provinces in Turkey: the Prevalence and Relationships with Some Socio-Economic Indicators

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the extent of VP fanning in the rural areas of the two provinces in Western Turkey and to analyze the relationships between VP farming and some socio-economic characteristics. Two different surveys were conducted in the countryside of Canakkale (S1) and Antalya (S2). Face to face interviews were carried out with a total of 122 (S1) and 224 (52) women in the villages. As the sampling methods and questionnaires of the two surveys were partially different, the data relating to the provinces were not compared with each other statistically. The proportion of housewives with minimum 5 years education in S1 and S2 were 82.8 and 67.8%. Most of the families were engaged in subsistence agriculture. A considerable number of households are not involved in agricultural production any more; they only reside in the village. It was determined that 84.4 and 88.8% of the households were involved in VP in S1 and S2. Almost, all flock owners were women with men generally helping out whilst children had no role. Some evidence was found indicating that low income levels increase the proportion of VP fanning. However, VP regarded as part of rural life, of the VP fanners, 84% of stated they would continue VP farming even if their income levels were higher. The proportion of those who were involved in VP among field crops producing fanners was higher (p<0.05) for both surveys. In S2, the occurrence of VP was higher In. the following groups: larger households, having various sources of income and agricultural income, rearing non-poultry livestock and having higher land size (p<0.05, in all). The families who live like farmers in the village are more likely to be involved in VP.