Investigation of the Sericulture in Turkey by Multidimensional Scaling and Cluster Analyses

The aim of this study was to investigate similarities and differences between 24 regions determined by Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT), to classify similar regions into the same category, and to determine the level of contributions to sericulture according to regions. This study used the data of 2019, obtained from the TURKSTAT, on the number of silkworm farms (household), silkworm egg boxes opened, and the amount of fresh cocoon produced. in this study, multidimensional scaling was used to determine similarities and differences between regions, and cluster analysis was used to classify the regions. According to the results of analysis, it has been determined that TRC2 region (Sanliurfa and Diyarbakir) makes the most contribution to the sericulture in Turkey, whereas TRA1 region (Erzurum, Erzincan, and Bayburt) makes the least one to it. in addition, TR51 (Ankara), TR32 (Aydin, Denizli, and Mugla), TR41 (Bursa, Eskisehir, Bilecik), and TR42 (Kocaeli, Sakarya, Duzce, Bolu, and Yalova) were similar to each other in terms of sericulture. The findings obtained in the study can be useful to develop policies for sericulture.