Investigation of the Storage Conditions of Agricultural Machinery in Erzurum Province

Erzurum Province, in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye, experiences a climate marked by high altitude, prolonged and severe winters, and brief, cool summers. The climate in the region directly influences both agricultural production activities and the operation and storage conditions of agricultural tools and machinery. Ensuring appropriate storage conditions prevents environmental damage, such as corrosion, wear, breakage, and deformation, reduces maintenance costs, and keeps machinery available for seasonal operations. Agricultural machinery stored in open areas in Erzurum Province is particularly vulnerable to substantial damage during severe winter conditions. Accordingly, storing agricultural tools and machinery in enclosed, dry, and properly ventilated facilities is of great importance.This study examined the storage conditions of agricultural tools and machinery in Erzurum Province at the district level, determined the prevalence of different storage methods, and conducted a comparative evaluation of the findings. Data for the study were obtained from Turkish Statistical Institute records, the Provincial and District Directorates of Agriculture and Forestry, and through face-to-face surveys with 160 randomly selected tractor-owning agricultural enterprises across 20 districts of the province.Based on the research findings, 30% of the farmers surveyed store their tractors and agricultural trailers in open areas, and 55% store tillage tools and machinery in open-air conditions. Likewise, 32% of seeders, planters, and fertilizer spreaders, and 39% of harvesting and threshing machines were stored in open areas. Hangars and semi-enclosed sheds were identified as the most suitable storage methods, preferred by 66% of producers. 68% of enterprises stated that their current storage method is unsuitable. Storage methods are not uniform across all enterprises and vary by farm size, machinery type, and machinery age. Insufficient maintenance and inadequate storage conditions were found to have a considerable adverse impact on machinery lifespan and maintenance costs.