Abstract
Purpose: The average age of rural population has increased in Turkey. Vast majority of rural population earns their livelihood from agriculture sector, and ageing tendency is one of the potential problems that the sector may encounter. Therefore, this study is aimed to determine the views of farmers about ageing tendency in rural areas, the effect of ageing on agricultural activities and continuity of agricultural production after them.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Main material of this study is consisted of data obtained from face-to-face interviews with 118 farmers in Ödemiş and Bayındır districts of İzmir. In the study, it was aimed to interview farmers excluding the young ones; and surveys were conducted with farmers aged 41 and over.
Findings: Approximately 75% of interviewed farmers stated that the average age of agricultural sector has increased and the main reason for this was the migration of younger population from the rural area. Ageing tendency of the agricultural sector reduces participation of farmers in agricultural activities. Approximately 56% of farmers did not want to continue agricultural activities; and about 58% stated that their children and/or relatives would not continue agricultural activities after them.
Originality/Value: Studies carried out so far generally examined the young farmers and aimed to ensure that young people remained in the agriculture sector. However, in this study, it was aimed to interview farmers other than the young ones, and to examine the ageing tendency in rural areas regarding the continuity of agricultural activities.