Researching Producers' Preferences in Mastic Gum Tree Cultivation: Identifying Motivating Factors

Year 2024, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 240 - 252, 31.12.2024

Sulbiye Ertan , Ferit Çobanoğlu

https://doi.org/10.46876/ja.1542159

Abstract

The study is to identify the motivating factors for producers in the Çeşme/İzmir district to increase mastic gum tree production, which is a significant activity there. The primary data for the study was collected through questionnaires conducted via face-to-face interviews with producers. Producers involved in mastic gum tree cultivation and those with potential for such cultivation were selected using non-probability sampling methods. Of 105 producers surveyed, 18 were engaged in mastic gum tree cultivation, while 87 were not. The research revealed that support for land use, initial financing, advisory services, and input were the preferred support mechanisms for gum farming farms. Similar support preferences were observed for farms without mastic gum tree cultivation, with consultancy, land use, and initial financing support topping the list. The decision to start mastic gum tree cultivation was mainly attributed to factors such as the longstanding cultural tradition of mastic gum tree cultivation in the region, the region's favorable climate and soil for production, and the mastic gum tree's low water requirements compared to other crops. Analysis of the recommendations and expectations of all producers and non-producers suggested that providing various forms of support, particularly training and land support for mastic gum tree production, could be the main motivating factors.

Keywords

Mastic gum tree, Çeşme/İzmir, Chios, Value-added

References

• Abebaw, S., & Dea, M. (2016). Determinants of farmers’ decision-making for planting Eucalyptus trees in Meket District, North Wollo, and Ethiopia. Research and Humanities and Social Sciences 6(13), 62–70.
• Addis, F., Melak, S., Tefera, B., & Kassa, H. (2016). Impacts of smallholder tree plantation in Amhara Region of Ethiopia: the case of Lay Gayint and Fagta Locuma Districts. Ethiopian Journal of Economics, 25(1), 35-38.
• Alemayehu, A., & Melka, Y. (2022). Small scale eucalyptus cultivation and its socioeconomic impacts in Ethiopia: A review of practices and conditions. Trees, Forests, and People, 8(100269), 1-12.
• Asnake, A. (2002). Growth performance and economics of growing Eucalyptus Camaldulensis by smallholder farmers of Amhara Region: the case of Gondar Zuria District. North Gondar, Ethiopia. Master Thesis. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skinnskatteberg, Sweden.
• Barbier, E.B. (2000). The economic linkages between rural poverty and land degradation: some evidence from Africa. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 82, 355-370.
• Çeşme District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry. (2024).
• Derbe, T., Yehuala, S., & Agitew, G. (2018). Factors influencing smallholder farmers' adoption of Eucalyptus Woodlot in Wogera District, North Gondar Zone, Amhara Regional State of Ethiopia. International Journal of Scientific Research and Management 6(7), 1-8.
• Elmqvist, B. (2003). The vulnerability of traditional agroforestry systems: a comparison of the gum arabic livelihood strategy before the 1984 drought to that of the present in Kordofan-Sudan. Paper presented on Environment, Place and Sustainable Natural Resource Management Conference. Uppsala, Sweden 2003.
• Getahun, A. (2002). Eucalyptus farming in Ethiopia: the case for eucalyptus woodlots in the Amhara region. FAO, AGRIS - International System for Agricultural Science and Technology.
• Ho, A.K., Sidanius, J., Pratto, F., Levin, S., Thomsen, L., Kteily, N., & Sheehy-Skeffington, J. (2012). Social dominance orientation: Revisiting the structure and function of a variable predicting social and political attitudes. Journal of Personality a Peand Social Psychology Bulletin, 583-606.
• Kebede, T.A. (2021). Factors affecting local farmers adoption of eucalyptus woodlot in Jamma district, South Wollo Zone, Amhara Regional State of Ethiopia. International Journal of Research and Development, 6, 1, 1-6.
• Kılıç, M.U. (2019). Sakız ağacı, yetiştiriciliği ve Türkiye’deki varlığı. Master Thesis. Ege University, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, İzmir. http://sakizagaci.gen.tr/sakiz_agaci_yetistiriciligi_ve_turkiyedeki_varligi.pdf (Access date: 10.01.2022).
• Larson, B.A., & Bromley, D.W. (1991). Natural resource prices, export policies and deforestation: the case of Sudan. World Development, 19(10), 1289-1297.
• Negash, M. (2002). Socio-economic aspects of farmers’ eucalyptus planting practices in the enset-coffee-based agroforestry system of Sidama, Ethiopia. The Case of Awassa and Shebedino Districts. Master thesis. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skinnskatteberg, Sweden.
• Onay, A. Yıldırım, H. Altınkut Uncuoğlu, A. Özden Çiftçi, Y., & Tilkat, E. (2016). Sakız ağacı (Pistacia lentiscus L.) yetiştiriciliği. Dicle University Press. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311206518_SAKIZ_AGACI_Pistacia_lentiscus_L_YETISTIRICILIGI (Access date: 05.02.2022).
• Özden, S. (2019). The economic analysis of the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus L.) cultivation projects. Anatolian Journal of Forest Research, 5(2), 100-107.
• Pearce, D.W. (1988). Natural resource management and anti-desertification policy in the Sahel-Sudan zone: a case of gum arabic. Geojournal, 7(3), 349-355.
• Rahim, A.H.A., van Ierland, E.C., & Vesseler, J. (2007). Economic incentives for abandoning or expanding gum arabic production in Sudan. Forest Policy and Economics, 10, 1-2, 36-47.
• Sağlam, Y.S. (2019). Sakız (PistaciaLentiscus Var. Chia) Fidan üretim tekniklerinin maliyet analizi. Kastamonu University. https://acikerisim.kastamonu.edu.tr/bitstreams/267714c1-3fdf-465d-bece-439aa03b5370/download (Access date: 05.02.2022).
• Teswaf, A., Senbeta, F., Alemu, D., & Teferi, E. (2022). Estimating the economic values of restricted monoculture eucalyptus plantations: a choice modeling approach. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19(9073), 1-17.
• TÜRKPATENT. (2024). 172 sayılı Resmi Coğrafi İşaret ve Geleneksel Ürün Adı Bülteni. 02.05.2024. 172 numbered Official Geographical Indication and Traditional Product Name Bulletin. 02.05.2024. Turkish Patent and Trademark. https://www.turkpatent.gov.tr/bultenler (Access date: 06.05.2024).
• Yüzer, İ. (2019). Ekonomik ve kültürel bir değer olan sakız ağacı. Tarım ve Orman Dergisi, Temmuz-Ağustos 2019. http://www.turktarim.gov.tr/Haber/302/ekonomik-ve-kulturel-bir-deger-olan-sakiz-agaci- (Access date: 12.06.2022).
• Παμπάλου, Α. (2020). Μαστίχα Χίου: αποκλειστικό πλεονέκτημα και τοπική-οικονομική ανάπτυξη. ΧΙΟΣ, ΜΑΙΟΣ. https://hellanicus.lib.aegean.gr/handle/11610/22030 (Access date: 12.06.2022).
• Χριστάκης, Π. (2020). Οι προοπτικές ανάπτυξης του αγροτουρισμούστηΧίομετησυμβολή της μαστίχας. Χίος, 2020. https://hellanicus.lib.aegean.gr/handle/11610/21172 (Access date: 12.06.2022).