Impacts of COVID-19 on Agricultural Production Branches: An Investigation of Anxiety Disorders among Farmers

Abstract

The aim of our study was to determine the level of anxiety among farmers in different agricultural branches in Turkey during the COVID-19 outbreak and to examine its association with socioeconomic concerns and social support variables. Based on a survey of 2125 Turkish farm enterprises, this study examined effects on agricultural production during the implementation of COVID-19 restrictions among agricultural branches. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale and Oslo Social Support Scale were used in the study. Survey data were collected from farmers by phone. Age, place of residence, income status, agricultural branches, land size, the use of trucks, animal husbandry, access to technical support from agricultural organizations, access to support from neighbors, and social support level were found to have a significant effect on anxiety level (p < 0.05). The anxiety levels of farmers engaged in animal husbandry and vegetable farming were found to be higher than those in other agricultural branches. The lowest anxiety level was observed in farmers engaged in cereal production. Taking these results into consideration is important for preventing problems in agricultural production. If anxiety levels are not improved, it is predicted that farmers in agricultural production branches with high levels of anxiety will move towards branches with lower levels of anxiety.