In the arid landscapes of southeastern Türkiye, pistachio cultivation stands as both a cultural heritage and a vital economic activity. Yet, producers in Siirt Province, one of the country’s pivotal pistachio-growing regions, confront a myriad of challenges that test their resilience and adaptability. Recent research employing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) delves deep into the risk perceptions, attitudes, and management strategies of these agricultural actors, exposing a complex web of environmental, financial, and social dynamics that influence their decision-making and sustainability.
At the core of this study are the pistachio farmers themselves—predominantly middle-aged individuals whose expertise accumulates over years, yet whose resource constraints limit the scope of their agricultural interventions. Operating within a multifaceted risk environment shaped by operational uncertainties, shifting climate variables, political frameworks, economic fluctuations, and financial pressures, these producers underscore the critical importance of developing comprehensive risk management paradigms tailored to local realities. The study’s sophisticated analysis confirms that risk attitudes among these farmers are not monolithic; instead, they vary considerably, influencing the adoption of strategies and ultimately the viability of their production systems.
The PLS-SEM approach enabled a nuanced understanding of how environmental limitations, particularly water scarcity, drastically reshape the contours of risk management in the region. Water resource constraints emerged as a pivotal variable influencing producers’ behavior—heightening their reliance on agricultural extension services and information networks while concurrently placing strains on their ability to comply with marketing standards. This paradox highlights the intricate balancing act pistachio farmers must perform between operational efficiency and market demands under resource-limited conditions.
Intriguingly, the findings illuminate distinct behavioral divides grounded in risk tolerance. Producers displaying higher risk tolerance often exhibit diminished sensitivity to environmental and political uncertainties, possibly due to an inherent confidence or a strategic choice to prioritize potential gains over conservative maneuvers. Conversely, risk-averse farmers meticulously navigate policy shifts and demonstrate enhanced financial risk control, frequently leveraging conservative financial frameworks to stabilize their operations against market shocks. This behavioral dichotomy carries profound implications for extension services and policy formulations aimed at supporting diverse producer profiles.
Age and educational attainment further stratify these risk attitudes. The study reveals a positive correlation between advancing age, higher educational levels, and increased risk aversion. Older, more educated producers tend to favor cautious, calculated approaches, underscoring the role of experiential learning and formal knowledge acquisition in shaping agricultural decision-making frameworks. Simultaneously, experience introduces an intriguing complexity, as it sharpens the ability to engage in calculated risk-taking coupled with effective mitigation strategies—suggesting a dynamic interplay between accumulated knowledge and risk navigation capabilities.
Based on a rigorous synthesis of these multidimensional insights, the study advocates for targeted interventions to forge a resilient pistachio sector in Siirt Province. Central to these efforts is the establishment of institutional support structures that address the unique challenges faced by small-scale producers. Strategic public investment in policies, credit facilities, and infrastructure—particularly those enhancing water management—are critical levers for bolstering sectoral stability. Such interventions must prioritize proactive engagement, enabling farmers to adopt advanced risk mitigation techniques before crises materialize.
Incentivization frameworks tailored to farmer risk profiles promise to catalyze more widespread uptake of innovative risk management tools. Subsidies for crop insurance, financial assistance for deploying advanced technologies, and capacity-building workshops form a comprehensive toolkit for empowering producers, particularly those who are risk-averse. Infrastructure upgrades, from modern irrigation systems to the provision of low-interest loans, represent tangible enablers that directly address resource limitations undermining productivity and sustainability.
Beyond infrastructure and financial support, fostering collaborative platforms—such as farmer cooperatives—can dramatically shift the power dynamics within the pistachio value chain. Cooperative models in Siirt Province have the potential to consolidate resources, facilitate knowledge sharing, and amplify collective bargaining power. Through coordinated efforts, producers can negotiate higher prices, share access to costly agricultural machinery, and collectively implement best practices, generating economies of scale and enhanced market positioning.
Recognizing the inherent vulnerability posed by narrow market dependency, the research proposes diversification strategies, including adapting marketing approaches under water-related constraints. Adding value through the development of pistachio-derived products—such as pistachio butter, oil, and snack foods—can unlock new revenue channels. Targeting differentiated market segments with these value-added goods introduces buffers against economic instabilities occasioned by environmental challenges, underscored by the increasing unpredictability of global agricultural markets.
Insect pests and diseases represent another front where coordinated policy intervention can mitigate risk. The promotion of early detection systems and integrated pest management (IPM) techniques, alongside stringent regulatory oversight to ensure safe pesticide use, is vital to safeguarding crop yield and consumer health alike. Government-led initiatives providing subsidized crop insurance, disseminating cutting-edge research, and enacting supportive regulatory frameworks are instrumental in cementing sustainable practices within the pistachio sector.
Educational efforts tailored to the heterogeneity of risk profiles further enhance adoption rates of sustainable farming methods. Workshops designed to illustrate the long-term economic and environmental consequences of inadequate risk management can persuade risk-taking farmers to embrace more balanced approaches. In parallel, risk-averse producers benefit from information sessions highlighting innovative irrigation technologies, organic farming potentials, and sophisticated financial analysis tools. Hands-on demonstrations, including the use of drone technology for precision field monitoring, exemplify practical initiatives that bridge knowledge gaps and foster technological acceptance.
Innovative financial instruments and microinsurance products emerge as pivotal tools to shield producers from acute financial shocks. Microinsurance policies that cover site-specific risks—drought, frost, and plant diseases—offer targeted protection, enhancing financial resilience. Complementary mechanisms such as forward contracts and crop-backed loans facilitate access to working capital, enabling investments that improve both production quality and risk mitigation.
However, the study’s scope is geographically concentrated, focusing solely on Siirt Province, which invites caution in extrapolating the findings to broader contexts without further corroboration. Variables such as market volatility, soil fertility gradients, and climate variability warrant comprehensive investigation across diverse ecological zones. Longitudinal studies tracking risk behavior evolution correlated with farming experience would deepen understanding and inform more nuanced policy development.
The integration of advanced modeling techniques, including scenario-based analyses accounting for climate change projections and non-linear environmental interactions, is essential in future research to quantify and prepare for the escalating uncertainty in agricultural landscapes. The study also highlights methodological considerations regarding how categorical socio-demographic variables, like education level, are incorporated into PLS-SEM analyses. Employing ordinal-specific analytical techniques could yield more precise modeling outcomes and better reflect the nuanced effects of such variables on risk perception and management.
In sum, this comprehensive investigation into pistachio production risk management in Siirt Province paints a vivid portrait of a sector navigating intensifying environmental and market pressures. It underscores the necessity for integrated approaches blending public policy, cooperative organization, technological innovation, and tailored education to sustain and enhance pistachio agriculture. Through such multifaceted efforts, producers can be better equipped to anticipate, absorb, and adapt to an uncertain future—securing the longevity and prosperity of this storied livelihood in the face of mounting challenges.
Subject of Research: Risk perception, risk attitude, and management strategies of pistachio producers in Siirt Province, Türkiye, analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).
Article Title: Analyzing risk perception, risk attitude, and management strategy using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in pistachio production: the case of Siirt Province, Türkiye.
Article References:
Şengül, Z. Analyzing risk perception, risk attitude, and management strategy using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in pistachio production: the case of Siirt Province, Türkiye. Humanit Soc Sci Commun 12, 660 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04983-w
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