The Effects of 6 February 2023 Earthquakes on the Production and Marketing Process of Firms in the Agriculture and Food Sector: The Case of Malatya Province, Türkiye

Ensuring sustainability in the production and marketing of agricultural and food products after natural disasters is of critical importance to maintain beneficial nutrition for society. Examining the effects of earthquakes on the agricultural and food sectors is important in terms of drawing attention to the possible risks they may pose to societies that have not experienced large-scale earthquakes. This study examines firms in the agriculture and food sectors of Malatya province that were affected by the devastating earthquakes centered in Kahramanmara & scedil; on 6 February 2023. This study aimed to determine the effects of earthquakes on firms in the agriculture and food sectors, the factors affecting firms' production and marketing processes, and the priority issues for them. Data obtained from 44 firms registered in the agricultural and food sectors of the Organized Industrial Zone of Malatya province were used. This study reports their general structure and frequency distributions by firm characteristics. In addition, statistical analysis methods, such as the chi-squared test, t-test, and factor analysis, were used for data evaluation. The results showed that 79.5% of firms export and make a significant contribution to T & uuml;rkiye's agricultural and food product trade. The primary factors influencing firms, based on their size, included workforce availability, raw material supply, transportation logistics, and financial assistance. Firms' earthquake insurance, providing earthquake training for their employees, and constructing durable buildings were the most important factors in ensuring sustainability in production and marketing. These results further show that firms in the agriculture and food sectors in Malatya province were greatly affected economically by the earthquakes. Important lessons emerged as a result of these earthquakes experienced in T & uuml;rkiye. The economic disruption following earthquakes may be overcome with less damage by constructing disaster-resistant buildings, instilling awareness of living with earthquakes in society, and creating safe production environments. This field study will guide sector stakeholders in building a resilient supply, production, and marketing network in preparation for future earthquakes.