The comparison of social networks between organic and conventional hazelnut producers in Samsun province

Year 2018, Volume: 33 Issue: 3, 216 - 225, 18.10.2018

Mehmet Aydoğan , Kürşat Demiryürek

https://doi.org/10.7161/omuanajas.394923

Cited By: 2

Abstract

The study was conducted
with the participation of organic and conventional hazelnut producers in
Samsun, the oldest organic hazelnut production area in which most of the
organic hazelnuts are grown in Turkey and almost in the world. Both grower
groups were compared in terms of their communication networks on the use of
different fertilizers and the functioning of the network were presented by
making suggestions on how to develop it. Socio-economic status of the organic
hazelnut producers was better than conventional ones in terms of land size,
income, cooperation capacity, risk management and agricultural supports.  The results showed that the organic producers
used different fertilizers such as manure, compost, nutshell and husks from
their farms as well as packed organic fertilizers; whereas the conventional producers
used only chemical fertilizers. Social network analysis has shown the graphs of
communication networks among the producers, their relationships with different
private, public and media information sources and especially revealed leader
farmers whom functioned as source of information transfer (or even blocker)
among them. The basic source of technical information for both groups of producers
was the experienced leader farmers; as for organic producers, the heads of the
local organic producers' union was the main information source in terms of
commercial, legal and organizational aspects. The formal information sources
such as extension staff of local public institutions and advisors of private
organic marketing companies were limited and seldom used by most of the organic
producers. Therefore, organic producers developed their local knowledge source
based on their on-farm trials and experiences and shared this knowledge within
their peer groups. However, this information needs to be supported with
scientific findings.

Keywords

organic agriculture, Social Network Analysis, organic hazelnut

The comparison of social networks between organic and conventional hazelnut producers in Samsun

Abstract

This study was carried out to reveal
the sources of communication and social network of organic and conventional
hazelnut producers in Samsun province. The primary and basic material of the study
is the data obtained from the surveys, interviews and observations of the
organic and conventional hazelnut producers in Çamlıca, Yüksekyayla villages
and Ağcagüney town. Both producer groups were compared in terms of their social
networks and communication channels especially on the use of different
fertilizers by making suggestions on how to develop it.

The results of the research showed
that socio-economic status of the organic hazelnut producers was better than
conventional producers in terms of land size, income, cooperation capacity,
risk management and agricultural supports. 
Social Network Analysis (SNA) has shown the graphs of communication
networks among the producers, their relationships with different public,
private and mass media information sources and especially revealed leader
farmers whom functioned as source of information transfer (or even blocker)
among them.

The relationships in organic hazelnut
producers’ communication network in the village are strong, dense and
information sources are varied. On the contrary, the relationships in
communication network of conventional hazelnut producers were looser, strong
and information sources were uniform. The main source of technical information
for both groups of producers was the experienced leader farmers; as for organic
producers, the heads of the local organic producers' union was the main
information source in terms of commercial, legal and organizational aspects. In
other words, both organic and conventional producers rely on knowledge and
experience of producers who take on the role of opinion leader within the
village. Therefore, innovation and knowledge transfer to farmers can be
delivered through these opinion leaders.

As a result of the research, it can
be said that institutional information sources do not adequately support
organic and conventional hazelnut growers. Thus, organic producers developed
their local knowledge source based on their on-farm trials and experiences and
shared this knowledge within their peer groups. However, this information needs
to be supported with scientific findings.

Keywords

Organic agriculture, Social network analysis, Organic hazelnut, Turkey

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