Abstract

Goat farming has traditionally been a major livelihood for many rural families in the mountainous and uphill areas of the Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. In recent years, the increased demand for goat products raised the issue of developing a sustainable goat sector in the region. The primary purpose of this study was to determine best management practices and innovations in goat farming and their adoption levels in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of Turkey. For this purpose, 140 goat farmers were surveyed and their socioeconomic characteristics, management practices, problems encountered, levels of applying innovations and best management practices, as well as factors influencing their adoption were investigated. Results of the study revealed that goat farmers face problems with expensive feeds, low governmental subsidies, and cheap prices for goat products. Adoption level of innovations and best management practices were found quite low and it was influenced by farmers’ experience, income, travels, and contacts with extension service and private veterinarians. 

Key words: Adoption, goat farming, management practices, rural development, Turkey.