ABSTRACT The present study aimed to determine the optimum agricultural policy components for buffalo breeding respecting the welfare of breeders. The data used for the study was composed of microdata retrieved from buffalo breeders in Turkish provinces, where buffalo breeding is widespread. The data retrieved via face to face survey was analyzed and interpreted with descriptive statistics and Conjoint Analysis, which is one of the multivariate analysis techniques. In this study, we investigated and discussed the scope of supporting policies provided to buffalo breeders to promote buffalo breeding and to assure its sustainability. Besides, this research is a preliminary and innovative study that intended to focus on breeders' utility in the evaluation of supports provided to buffalo breeding. According to the findings, the most critical factor for buffalo breeders in terms of producer-oriented policy framework appeared as “subsidy in cash paid per head” (32.10%), which was followed by “investment support” with 21.25%. In addition to these tools, “marketing support” (16.51%), “product support” (16.18%), and “investment credit” (13.96%) appeared as essential and vital policy tools.

ABSTRACT The objective of the study was to present the current situation of water buffalo breeding in Turkey, determine the relevant problems, and propose suggestions for its improvement. The research data were collected at the “Focus Group Interviews” with the sector actors from the cities engaged in buffalo breeding between July and September of 2015. The cities included Afyonkarahisar, Bitlis, Diyarbakir, Istanbul, Muş, Samsun, and Tokat, where buffalo breeding was usually practiced by small-scale family enterprises that used traditional husbandry methods. The variables chosen as indicators of yield included milk yield, meat yield, and lactation period, which were found to be below global averages. The study revealed lack of adequate record-keeping of enterprises raising water buffalo. Buffalo breeders should take necessary steps to improve their strategies to increase buffalo milk yield, while government agencies should protect wetlands and prevent their unintended use, making relevant legal arrangements where necessary. Buffalo meat and milk should be promoted with an emphasis on their superior nutritional values. For the development of buffalo breeding in Turkey, necessary steps should be taken on both national and local levels.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to analyse the socio-economic structure of water buffalo farming in the province of Muş, in Turkey. The stratified sampling method was used to calculate sample size of buffalo farms in the Central, Korkut, and Hasköy districts of Muş province, where buffalo farming is widespread. Data were collected from the 94 farms by surveys in the 2013 production period. A single budget analysis method was used to calculate production cost and profit for water buffaloes. Plant production constituted 37.85% of the gross production value, while animal production accounted for 62.15%. The biggest share in the gross production value derived from water buffalo farming (45.71%). Fixed and variable costs were 51.44% and 48.56% of the production cost (USD11691.06), respectively. The largest part of the variable cost was the feed cost (75.81%). The cost of per kilogram buffalo milk in the region was calculated as USD0.64. Consequently, it is important to ensure the continuation of breeding studies to increase milk yield, giving information to farmers about modern techniques, developing policies to increase the scale of the farms, and implementing regional and national policies to increase awareness of buffalo milk and milk products.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to calculate costs of milk production, gross production value, gross margin, absolute profit, and relative profit of dairy cattle farms located in the provinces of east Mediterranean region of Turkey. Primary data were collected from 148 dairy cattle farms designated using the Neyman Stratified Sampling method through surveys. Dairy farms were classified into four groups according to the number of cows. The data belong to the 2012 production season. A single product budget analysis method was used for calculating production costs. According to the results, variable costs amounted to 65.91% of total production costs. Feed cost (86.52%) was the main component of variable costs. The cost of 1 kg of milk, on average, was calculated as USD 0.261. The cost of milk was USD 0.499 on group 1 farms, USD 0.399 on group 2 farms, USD 0.272 on group 3 farms, and USD 0.233 on group 4 farms. Among the farms under study, average gross margin value was negative only on group 1 farm, and positive in all other groups. Absolute profit value was positive only on group 4 farm, and negative in all other groups. The average relative profit of the farms was 0.9067. The expansion of dairy farms could be reached by reducing the feed cost as well as increasing the scale of farms.

ABSTRACT This study estimates the technical efficiency of goat rearing in the province of Isparta in Turkey using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The data used were collected from 92 goat farmers using the stratified sampling method by means of a questionnaire. The technical efficiency of the goat farming varied widely between 0.13 and 1.00. The mean efficiency of 92 goat farms was calculated to be 0.44 and 0.66 for constant and variable returns to scale assumptions, respectively. The greatest slacks were in feedstuff concentrates and labour used. The most significant factors affecting efficiency of goat production were farmer experience, cooperative membership, milk yield per goat, and family and hired labour. Technical efficiency should be improved by providing farmers with well-organised education, an extension program, and research and development programs on goat rearing.