Evaluation of agricultural machinery obtained via financial support

Abstract

The types of agricultural supports include market price, subsidizing inputs, loans and direct payments. Financial support and low interest loans for purchasing equipment and machinery via the Support of Rural Development Investments Program is the commonly employed support type in Turkey during the last decade. The major purposes of this support program are to increase the quality of production suitable for the market demands, improve productivity and competitiveness of the producers.In this study, first, the effects and contributions of these support programs on the development of the number of agricultural equipment/machinery were analyzed between 2007 and 2010 in Turkey. Second, the sensitivity of the increase in income due to the production of major agricultural crops due to the increase in the number of agricultural equipment and machinery were determined using sensitivity index. Finally, benefit/cost ratios were calculated based on the income and donation values. In conclusion, based on the results of these analyses, the status of agricultural support programs were evaluated and recommendations were made for the future of these programs.