Agriculture and Regional Development Spatial Insight from Turkish Provinces
Makaleler > Tam Makale · 2026
Yazarlar: Sinan Çinar
Sinop Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, Uluslararası, 2026, cilt 10, ss 727-745
DOI: 10.30561/sinopusd.1836727
Özet
This study investigates the impact of agricultural activities on regional economic growth in Turkey over the period 2008–2020. Utilizing a balanced panel dataset for 81 NUTS-3 provinces, the analysis is grounded in the Augmented Solow–Swan Growth Model pro-posed by Mankiw, Romer, and Weil (1992). Spatial econometric techniques are employed to assess spatial dependence and interregional linkages. Hausman test outcomes identify the Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) as the most appropriate specification. The empirical find-ings reveal that agricultural production exerts a positive and statistically significant influ-ence on regional economic growth (coefficient = 0.037). While the direct effect is signifi-cant (0.046), both the indirect (0.108) and total (0.155) effects are positive yet statistically insignificant, indicating limited spatial spillovers across provinces. These results suggest that agriculture supports local economic performance but does not induce strong cross-regional diffusion effects. The study is limited to provincial-level data for 2008–2020, and results may vary with alternative spatial weight matrices or structural changes beyond this period. Policy implications highlight the need to complement agricultural support with improve-ments in human capital, infrastructure, and technology to enhance regional convergence. The study contributes to the literature by integrating spatial econometrics with the Solow–Swan framework and offering novel evidence on agriculture–growth dynamics in Turkey.