THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN AGRICULTURAL MARKETING AND DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN COOPERATIVES IN TURKEY

Abstract

Although women provide a significant proportion of labor in agricultural production in Turkey, they are not sufficiently visible or influential in agricultural marketing processes. This article aims to provide a holistic perspective on agricultural marketing and cooperativism as a means to improve the status of women in rural Turkey. This article examines the role of women in agricultural marketing in Turkey and the impact of women’s cooperatives on this process. The theoretical framework addresses the conceptual structure of agricultural marketing and its historical development in Turkey; it also discusses the place of women’s labor in agriculture, how gender inequalities affect women’s access to markets, and women’s visibility in marketing, based on the academic literature. In addition, the historical development, current status, and successful examples of women’s cooperatives in Turkey are presented, and the role of these cooperatives in marketing agricultural products and their relation to development policies are evaluated. Women’s cooperatives contribute positively to women’s economic empowerment and inclusion in marketing networks. However, due to obstacles in areas such as financing, education, and organization, women face challenges in cooperative activities. This study presents solutions to overcome these problems. In order to increase the visibility of women in the value chain and the rate of women entrepreneurship in Turkey, supporting cooperative formation, improving educational and financial opportunities, and strengthening women-focused policies are essential.