RURAL WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION IN DAIRY FARMING ACTIVITIES IN THRACE REGION OF TÜRKİYE

This study aims to define the tendency towards participation in dairy farming activities of rural women who live in Thrace region of Trkiye.The collection of data from 380 rural women was accomplished using the proportional sampling method.Between December 2023 and July 2024, the survey for this study was carried out.The study data was examined with the use of descriptive statistics, participation index score and multiple regression analysis.Current study's findings revealed that women had an average age of 39.3, the average education level was 8.9 years, the average family size was 3.3 people, the average dairy farming experience was 7.3 years, the average annual household income was 2660.2 and the average volume of dairy cattle was 25.6 head.Rural women were found to be most engaged in dairy farming activities during the feeding and watering stage while the least in the purchasing, processing and marketing stage according to the participation index score results.The results of multiple regression analysis indicated a statistical significant association between rural women's participation level in dairy farming activities and socio-economic characteristics.The findings indicated that middle-aged, more educated and more experienced women were more inclined to engage in these activities than other women.Consequently, the study findings are expected to contribute the economy of the study area, to the decision makers and agricultural policy makers interested in this subject, and to further emphasize rural women's importance in dairy farming activities.