Social and Economic Problems of Agricultural Enterprises: The Case of Bayburt

Abstract

Agricultural enterprises are enterprises that make significant contributions to the economic, social and cultural development of countries by engaging in agricultural production, agricultural product processing and agricultural marketing activities. It can be said that agricultural enterprises in Türkiye face many problems because they are mostly SMEs. The aim of this study is to examine the social and economic problems of agricultural enterprises based on the Bayburt example. In the study, it was deemed appropriate to use face-to-face interview technique within the scope of qualitative research method. In the interview, a questionnaire containing 32 questions about the social and economic problems of agricultural enterprises was used in addition to questions about participants and agricultural enterprises such as position, sector experience, enterprise size, enterprise title. Data were collected from 27 agricultural enterprises engaged in production, processing and marketing activities in Bayburt province. Content analysis technique was used to analyze the data. The responses of the participants were processed in depth within the scope of the themes determined in accordance with the content analysis technique, and the social and economic problems of agricultural enterprises were identified and solution suggestions were developed. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that agricultural enterprises have various problems related to management, production, marketing, finance and risk management, accounting, human resources, R&D and infrastructure, and suggestions were made within the scope of each theme. In conclusion, it is thought that this study will shed light on all agricultural enterprises operating in the sector and relevant stakeholders by addressing the existing problems, identifying the obstacles and developing recommendations.