Agricultural Pesticide Consumption Patterns from Global Trends to Regional Insights: Evidence from Aydın Province in the Büyük Menderes Basin

Abstract

The intensification of agricultural production has led to a substantial increase in pesticide use worldwide, raising growing concerns regarding environmental sustainability, ecosystem integrity, and potential risks to human health. In this context, evaluating national and regional pesticide consumption patterns is essential for understanding spatial usage dynamics and supporting evidence-based agricultural policy. This study investigates pesticide consumption in Türkiye at both national and provincial levels, with a particular focus on Aydın Province, one of the country’s major agricultural production centers. Official statistical datasets were examined to analyze the distribution of major pesticide groups, including herbicides, fungicides and bactericides, insecticides, rodenticides, and other pesticide categories. The findings reveal marked inter-provincial variability in pesticide consumption across Türkiye. Provinces characterized by intensive agricultural production and high crop diversity tend to exhibit elevated consumption levels in multiple pesticide classes. Within this framework, Aydın stands out as one of the leading provinces in overall pesticide usage. The province ranks prominently in herbicide and insecticide consumption and is positioned among the top provinces in several additional pesticide categories, reflecting the diversity and intensity of agricultural activities in the region. Although the data analyzed in this study represent absolute consumption quantities rather than area-normalized application rates, the results provide valuable insight into regional distribution patterns and relative usage magnitudes. The absence of normalization by cultivated land area or production intensity is acknowledged as a limitation; however, the descriptive evaluation contributes to identifying provinces where pesticide use is comparatively concentrated. Overall, this study enhances understanding of the spatial distribution of pesticide consumption in Türkiye and provides a foundational framework for future research integrating land-use intensity, environmental exposure indicators, and risk-based assessment models to support sustainable agricultural management strategies.