KIZILTEPE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

MARDIN MAGROTEX'21 FAIR ACCORDING TO UNIVERSITY AND CHAMBER/EXCHANGE RESEARCH

MEETING NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN AGRICULTURE WITH THOSE CONCERNED

Mardin İli/İlçeleri Odaları/Borsaları (Kızıltepe Ticaret Borsası, Kızıltepe Ticaret ve Sanayi Odası, Mardin Ticaret ve Sanayi Odası, Nusaybin Ticaret Borsası, Nusaybin Ticaret ve Sanayi Odası), conducted a field study regarding in cooperation Mardin MAGROTEX'21 Fair in cooperation with Mardin Artuklu University Public, Private and Mixed Sector Cooperation Coordinatorship (MAÜKÖK).

The research which was conducted under the coordinatorship of MAU Department of Economics Faculty Member, MAÜKÖK Coordinator, TOBB/TEPAV, Mardin Province/Districts Chamber/Exchange Academic Advisor Assoc. Prof. Mehmet Behzat Ekinci and with the contributions of the students of the Department of Economics is a joint work of Mardin Province/Districts Chambers/Exchanges with Mardin Artuklu University (MAU).

With this field study carried out with the participating companies of the 7th International Mardin Agricultural Equipment, Food and Livestock Fair (Magrotex 2021), which was held in Mardin on 27-30 October 2021, it is basically aimed to reveal how this fair is evaluated in terms of the participating companies. The results obtained in connection with this study will be shared with the relevant people, institutions and the public in order to improve the quality of the fair.

In the research conducted by face-to-face survey method with a total of 23 exhibitor companies, 8 of which are from Mardin and 15 from outside of Mardin (Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Çorum, Diyarbakır, Istanbul, Konya, Manisa, Maraş, Sinop, Urfa), an attempt was made to find answers to the following 10 (ten) main questions.

1. How many times have you attended this fair?
2. What is your purpose of participation in this fair?
3. What are the products you exhibit in this fair?
4. What were your expectations from this fair, were they met?
5. If you have participated in this fair before, what kind of benefits did you gain?
6. Were you able to establish any commercial connection with the country at this fair?
7. What kind of commercial connections did you establish with the domestic market at this fair?
8. Were you able to establish any commercial connection abroad at this fair?
9. What kind of commercial connections did you establish with abroad at this fair?
10. Did you encounter any problems during this fair?

The answers given within the scope of the questionnaire were collated and evaluated by determining the general situation. Some of the results of the research and related proposals are as follows:

• Twelve of the companies (52%) participated for the first time, while the others participated 2 or more times. 4 (17%) of those who attended 2 or more times are participating for the seventh time, including this year. One of them is based outside the Mardin.
• Companies stated that they attended the fair in order to increase cooperation capacity, raise awareness of farmers, inform the agricultural sector about innovations, promote their products, expand customer portfolios, establish commercial connections, provide information about new technologies, contribute to the fair culture, make their names visible, understand the expectations of customers and expand the dealer network.
• Some of the products exhibited at the fair are as follows: Baler, Pipe, Wheat, Bulgur, Hoe, Drip hose, Sapling, Filter, Fertilizer, Fertilizer Applicator, Animal vitamins, Sprayer, Quality control device, Chemical fertilizer, Cultivator, Laboratory equipment, Lentils, Micro fertilizer elements, Organic fertilizer, Special fertilizers, Turkish fairy floss, Halva, Turkish Delight, Plow, Trailer, Irrigation system, Milking machine, Seed, Soil tillage machine, Tractor, Flour, Sprinkler pipes, Feed preparation container, Agricultural vehicle tires, Pesticide, Agricultural spraying drone (unmanned aerial vehicle).
• The companies listed their expectations from the Fair as follows: ‘’Higher participation, make more commercial connections, To expand the domestic and international dealer network, contribution to the promotion of the company, Increasing brand awareness, Reaching new customers, Reaching new dealers and farmers, Increasing the company awareness level’’. While some of the companies stated that they achieved these targets to a significant extent, some of them stated that they could not reach them.
• Some of the benefits expressed by the companies that participated in the fair are as follows:

• We achieved both material and moral benefits.
• Our company's awareness level increased
• It contributed to our sales
•  We reached new customers
• We had the opportunity to meet face-to-face with some of our existing customers
• We increased the number of dealers
• We are able to reach out to a wider audience.

• 9 of the companies (39%) stated that they can establish commercial connections with the domestic market. In this context, they stated that they made commercial connections in terms of tractors, ploughs, trailers and balers with different cities. Also, they expressed that they have made commercial connections with some dealers in Mardin on the subject of agricultural tires, and on the subject of special fertilizers through their dealers, and with different cities on the subject of halva Turkish delights and Turkish fairy floss.
• 5 of the companies (22%) stated that they were able to establish commercial connections with abroad. In this context, the companies stated that they have made commercial connections with Iraq for the sale of filters, drip hoses and sprinkler pipes, irrigation systems and for the purchase of new products with Italy.
• Some of the companies stated that they encountered some problems during the Fair and listed them as follows: We think that the fairground is not suitable, ‘’The fairground is physically small, The loud music broadcast is a bit disturbing, We think that there is a lack of infrastructure, The lighting is insufficient, the ventilation is insufficient. Also, There are deficiencies in the subjects of Garbage, sink etc. The common areas are insufficient, we believe that the organization is insufficient.”
• Magrotex'21 Fair has some shortcomings, as some of the participating companies have stated.However, it turns out that the Fair fulfills an important function, as it brings some new technologies to the interested parties, and because the participating companies act with a mission to inform and raise awareness of the segments engaged in agricultural activities.

Mardin Artuklu University and Mardin Province/Districts Chambers/Exchanges will continue such field studies, which include information on the city and the region, and economic policy proposals.