How do agricultural supports manage to increase cotton area in Türkiye?

This study investigates how agricultural support policies shape the sustainability of cotton production in Türkiye. Based on survey data collected from 657 farmers in Şanlıurfa, Aydın, Diyarbakır, Hatay, and Adana, which together account for over 80% of the country’s cotton cultivation area, an analysis was conducted using the Tobit model. The findings reveal that subsidies play a decisive role in farmers’ land allocation decisions. Increases in premium payments and input subsidies encourage producers to expand cotton cultivation, while reductions in these supports lead to contraction. Premium payments were found to have a stronger effect than input subsidies. Beyond statistical evidence, the study emphasises that farmers’ daily challenges, from land preparation to product delivery, are critical for formulating effective policies. Taking these realities into account can help policymakers design support measures that are not only economically effective but also aligned with producers’ lived experiences, thereby contributing to the long-term sustainability of the cotton sector.