The Socio-Demographic Structure of Cattle Farming in Kars Province

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the socio-demographic structure, producer profiles, reasons for animal husbandry, and the main problems faced by cattle farming enterprises in Kars province. Data were collected through a face-to-face survey conducted with 244 cattle breeders and analyzed using SPSS frequency and chi-square analyses. The findings indicate that the vast majority of cattle breeders are middle-aged, with a primary education level predominantly high school. The participation of the young population in the sector is quite low. It was determined that 66% of the producers continue animal husbandry as their father's profession, while 29.5% engage in it to earn additional income. 99.6% of the participants perceive milk prices as low, and 95.1% consider themselves inadequate in animal husbandry and breeding. Participation in training programs is quite low, and information sources are largely limited to neighboring breeders. Furthermore, statistically significant relationships were found between the age groups of the producers and both the livestock population and the reasons for animal husbandry. In conclusion, while cattle farming in Kars province maintains its traditional structure, a lack of knowledge and training in the sector is noteworthy. Encouraging young people, producer training, and economic support mechanisms are crucial for the sustainability of the sector.