Abstract

Sunflower takes an important place in terms of raw materials provided for the oil industry and of added value, as well as bring-in income for producers in Turkey’s economy. Sunflower is an important source of income by standing the main product in alternation of the wheat in the sense of manufacturers in Thrace Region which constitutes the European part of Turkey. In this study, the effect of premium support application on sunflower cultivation area and production amount in Thrace where approximately 65% of sunflower production in Turkey is met and also the effect of support payments on producer income are investigated. In this study, it is concluded that premium supports are inefficient in increasing sunflower cultivation area and production whereas it is concluded that it has an important role on producer income and on the determination of the market price. In fact, from a survey that was carried out, it emerges that the area-based support (diesel oil, fertilizer etc. support) together with premium support increase the revenue of sunflower up to 27.74% per area unit and the gross profit in proportion to 98.87%. This study indicates that in order to increase the sunflower production in Turkey the amounts of sunflower premium support, diesel oil and fertilizer should be rearranged in compliance with current market conditions. Moreover, as well as for other agricultural products, the use of certified seed should also be included into agricultural support programmes, production on well irrigated areas should be widened and the use of oil crops varieties with high oil ratio should be extended.

Key words: Oil crops, sunflower, agricultural subsidy, agricultural income, gross profit.