Determination of Agricultural Machinery Usage Efficiency in Tokat Province Using Geographical Information Systems

This study aimed to create a database on the presence of machinery on a district basis by mapping the utilization activities of agricultural tools and machinery used in the crops cultivated in Tokat and its districts and only in wheat agriculture with geographical information systems. In this context, the machines were divided into seven groups (Soil Tillage Machinery, Sowing and Planting Machinery, Maintenance and Fertilization Machinery, Plant Protection Machinery, Harvesting Machinery, Combine Harvester, and Tractors). The statistics on the cultivated areas and the number of machines on a district basis were obtained from the Turkish Statistical Institute. The calculated machine impact areas and planted areas were converted into circular areas and their radii were calculated. The calculated radii were converted into district-based maps with the help of ArcGIS 10.8 software. It was determined that there is a need for subsoilers, combi-harrow, stone collecting machinery, rotary cultivators, soil leveling machinery, rotary tiller, arc opening plough, seedling planting machinery, balers, and combine harvesters in Tokat. While the highest need was identified for balers, the highest surplus was identified for tractors. When the common crops and the machines commonly used in wheat agriculture are evaluated, it is concluded that production planning is important and planning should be made in accordance with the crop pattern.