An analysis of socio-economic and environmental sustainability of goat production in the Taurus Mountain Villages in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of Turkey, with consideration of gender roles

This article studies the socio-economic and environmental sustainability of goat raising in the villages of the Taurus Mountains located in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of Turkey with attention to gender roles. The region was selected for study because Turkey's Ministry of Forestry has banned goat cultivation in the Taurus Mountains creating a drastic decline in the production of goats. The authors employed questionnaires and interviews to collect data from fifty-two women and fifty-eight men. These participants represent 8 villages within 4 different districts. Villages were selected based on their potential for high goat cultivation. The results indicate men and women view protecting the forests differently. A large portion of men were sensitive about conserving forested areas. Women were less concerned with protecting the forest nature than providing their families with inexpensive dairy products. Another factor of this disparity is education. Women have lower levels of education and social cognizance about environmental sustainability. Also, women are the main goat production managers and consider raising goats a necessity.