SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF SMALL RUMINANT FARMERS: ŞIRNAK PROVINCE SAMPLE

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to determine the socio-demographic characteristics of small ruminant farmers in Sirnak Province. For this purpose, a survey was conducted in 128 small ruminant farms in Sirnak Province, the districts of Guclukonak, Idil and Cizre where small ruminant breeding was concentrated. The data belongs to the period of March 2016 - February 2017. The average age of the farmers was 49.98, 75.78% of whom were literate, 23.44% completed primary school, and 0.78% were high school graduates. Average experience in goat breeding was 13.32 years, and sheep breeding was 13.37 years. Household size in the farms average was 9.33 persons, which was higher than the national average. Of the individuals living in each household, 46.21% were literate, and 28.95% were middle school graduates. 5.47% of the farmers had agricultural income from outside the farms, and 2.34% had non-agricultural income. It was noteworthy that 16.41% of the interviewed farmers did not have any social security. It was found that operators had a low level of computer usage and frequency of various mass media. While all of the farmers had mobile phones, 31.25% of them used computers and 21.88% used internet accesses. While 82.31% of the operators obtained a co-operative membership, 68.75% belong to the producer association. 50.78% of the farmers have borrowed money, 31.25% have used loans in the last five years.

Keywords

• Small ruminant,Farmer,Socio-Demographic,Sirnak

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