Evaluation of cotton production in Şanlıurfa province in terms of harvesting methods and economic costs

The present study was conducted to analyze the economic revenues/costs for 2020/2021 period in Şanlıurfa, where cotton production is intense. The main source of this study was the data obtained from 15 cotton farmers in the area. It was determined in the study that the cotton yield per decare varied between 450 kg and 660 kg, and the average yield was 562 kg/da, and the average costs were spraying, fertilizing, harvesting, irrigation, sowing and soil preparation, respectively. The cost of producing one kilogram of cotton was found to be 1.68 TL/kg. The average revenue per decare was found to be 3970 TL/da and the production cost was 945 TL/da. It has been determined that the mechanized harvesting system is more advantageous than manual harvesting according to harvesting cost, total cost and net profit values. For cotton production to be commercially sustainable, it is essential to enhance efficiency in production, determine support measures for cotton that do not adversely affect farmers in the current period, and prioritize mechanized harvesting methods.