Evaluating the Relationship Between Land Consolidation and Agricultural Mechanization: Evidence from a Case Study in Türkiye

Abstract

Land consolidation plays a crucial role in improving agricultural mechanization by optimizing land-use efficiency, reducing transportation distances, and enhancing the operational viability of mechanized farming. This study evaluates the effects of land consolidation on key mechanization indicators in Türkiye, focusing on Kırşehir Province over a 13-year period (2010–2022). By integrating official statistics, field data, and variance-based statistical methods, changes in tractor density, average parcel size, tractor power per hectare, and the number of implements per tractor were analyzed before and after consolidation. The results indicate that land consolidation significantly increased parcel size and contributed to the use of stronger, more modern machinery. Additionally, thematic maps were utilized to visually support the spatial aspects of consolidation, although no GIS-based quantitative analysis was performed. These findings highlight the importance of aligning land consolidation policies with mechanization strategies to foster more sustainable and efficient agricultural systems.