Comptes rendus de l’Acade'mie bulgare des Sciences, Vol 72, No8, pp.1144

Determination of Agricultural Mechanization Level of Kirşehir Province Using Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

Gulden Ozgunaltay-Ertugrul, Omer Ertugrul, Adnan Degirmencioglu

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to create a spatial database of basic values related to the level of agricultural mechanization with analyzable correlations. This will be helpful for decision-makers for producing policies to be followed in developing the agricultural structure of Kirşehir region.

The agricultural mechanization status in Kirşehir was investigated thorough evaluation of determination criteria of agricultural mechanization level; mean tractor power, mean tractor power per area worked, mean area worked per tractor, mean number of tractors per 1000 ha, mean number of agricultural tools/machines per tractor, mean number of combine harvesters per 1000 ha and mean area per combine harvester. According to 10-year data encompassing 2006–2015:

• Mean tractor power of Kirşehir was 40.82 kW (lowest 27.47 kW in Akpinar, highest 52.38 kW in Kaman county);
• Mean tractor power per area worked was 0.84 kWha^-1 (lowest 0.63 kWha^-1 in Çiçekdaği, highest 1.03 kWha^-1 in Mucur county);
• Mean area worked per tractor 53.16 ha/tractor (lowest 29.88 ha/tractor in Akpinar, highest 79.32 ha/tractor in Kaman county);
• Mean number of tractors per 1000 ha is 22 (lowest 13 in Kaman, highest 34 in Akpinar county);
• Mean agricultural tools/machines per tractor is 6 (lowest 5 in Akpinar, highest 9 in Çiçekdaği county);
• Mean number of combine harvesters per 1000 ha is 2 (lowest 1 combine harvester per 2500 ha in Kaman, highest 3/1000 ha in Akpinar county);
• Area worked per combine harvester is 895.3 ha (lowest 313.69 ha in Akpinar and highest 2564.5 ha in Kaman county).

Agricultural mechanization level in this region with dominant rural sector was behind the level in the country. This effective database which can be updated and enriched with different aspects forms a basic model for planningbased applications and provides high-detail case monitoring. The database will positively contribute to consistency in decisions to be taken related to agricultural development of the region.

Key words: agricultural mechanization, spatial evaluation, Kirşehir, farming systems

Topic: AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES