Field Data
In order to better understand field conditions and needs and to make the activities under the GYSU initiative more effective, two survey studies were conducted. The first was a face to face survey carried out with 387 grape producers in November 2024, aimed at understanding producer behaviors. The second was conducted with a focus group in April 2025.
Survey Findings
1. November 2024
Within the scope of the GYSU Project, a face to face survey was conducted with 387 grape producers in the Alaşehir district to identify existing practices and producer behaviors related to fertilizer management and water efficiency in viticulture in the Gediz Basin. The study covered 46 neighborhoods and villages within the district, ensuring strong spatial representation.
The survey findings show that production is predominantly concentrated in medium and large scale vineyards, with a significant proportion of producers operating on areas of 16 decares or more. While drip irrigation is widespread (82 percent), the continued use of flood irrigation (17 percent) indicates a significant risk for groundwater resources. The majority of producers stated that they do not implement systematic water saving practices.
Chemical fertilizers dominate fertilizer use (75 percent), while the use of organic fertilizers remains limited (25 percent). The most influential actors in fertilization decisions are agricultural input dealers, whereas the impact of scientific analyses and institutional guidance is quite low. Indeed, a large proportion of producers stated that they either do not conduct soil and water analyses or do not reflect the results of these analyses in practice.
Nevertheless, 64 percent of producers indicated that they are aware of the polluting effects of fertilizer use on water resources, while a significant segment reported a lack of sufficient knowledge on this issue. In addition, more than 90 percent of producers stated that they were not aware of the existence of a common information and dialogue platform for agricultural practices in the region.
The survey results reveal a clear knowledge practice gap in fertilizer and water management in the Gediz Basin, while also indicating a strong foundation for collective action, training, and capacity building interventions.
2. April 2025
The second survey was conducted through face to face interviews with 23 grape producers in the districts of Salihli, Sarıgöl, Saruhanlı, and Alaşehir. The study aimed to identify producer behaviors related to fertilization and irrigation practices in viticulture, key challenges encountered, and the potential for collaboration.
The findings indicate that a significant proportion of producers carry out soil and water analyses, but that the results of these analyses are not systematically reflected in fertilization and irrigation decisions. Decisions regarding fertilizer type and quantity are mostly made based on the recommendations of agricultural input and fertilizer dealers. Over the past five years, more than 70 percent of producers stated that they changed the type or amount of fertilizer used, yet these changes were largely not based on analytical data.
While drip irrigation and night irrigation are common practices, only 43 percent of producers measure or record the amount of irrigation water used. This stands out as a major factor limiting improvements in water efficiency. In addition, reduced access to organic fertilizers, inadequacies in irrigation infrastructure, deterioration in groundwater quality, and labor shortages were among the issues most frequently raised by producers.
Despite these challenges, all producers stated that they were willing to provide samples for soil and water analysis, and approximately 80 percent expressed willingness to participate in training and capacity building activities. This finding demonstrates that there is a strong basis in the Gediz Basin for promoting sustainable fertilizer and water management practices through collective action, training, and pilot implementations.