Determination of communication behavior of earthen pond fish farmers

Abstract

This study aims to determine the communication behavior of earthen pond fish farmers in Milas district of Mugla province that is located in the southwest of Turkey. The main material of the study is constituted from the surveys that are conducted with 56 farmers in Milas district. Within the context of farmers' communication behavior, their frequency of listening to radio, watching television, reading newspaper and using computer and internet is investigated. Moreover, farmers' frequency of travelling to the province and district areas is examined. Logit analysis is applied in order to determine the factors that have impact on the usage of PC/internet, following the magazines related to earthen pond fish farming and listening to radio. It is determined that farmers' fishery experience has a positive effect on listening to radio but farmers' usage of credit has a negative effect on listening to radio. It is designated that as fishery experience, cooperative membership and the number of ponds have a positive effect on PC/internet utilization, being active in agriculture and usage of credit have a negative effect on it. It is identified that while the number of ponds of farmers has a positive effect on following the magazines related to earthen pond fish farming regularly, agricultural experience and ownership status has a negative effect on it.