Farmer attitudes towards converting to organic farming

Doris Läpple1, 2 and Trevor Donnellan1

1Rural Economy Research Centre, Teagasc, Athenry, Co. Galway2Department of Economics, National University of Ireland, Galway

2nd December 2008

overview

Overview of presentation

Main objective and context

Methodology

Results

Conclusion

main objective

Main objective

Organic sector in Ireland is just over 1% of UAA (about 1,400 organic farms)

→ government target: 5% of UAA by 2012

Why are more farmers not converting?

Examine role that attitudes play and identify drivers & barriers to the intention to convert to organic farming

→ understand why farmers make decisions in favour or against organic farming

Context for this study

Part of larger study Today’s presentation is just a snapshot Only beginning detailed analysis at this point

Survey of organic, ‘ex-organic’ and conventional farmers

Explain the decision to adopt or not to adopt organic farming over time with respect to a variety of factors e.g. economic, structural, socio-economic

To compare groups and identify problems to provide a basis for improved policy intervention

→Focus today: intention to convert of conventional farmers

context

Methodology Survey design and sample

Preliminary work in advance of the survey: 50 personal interviews

farmers & farm advisers Elicit true opinion of farmers about organic farming

advantages/disadvantages, perceived problems, influence of others

→ All statements are based on farmers’ beliefs

Survey: Structured questionnaire Sample size: 181 conventional drystock farmers Collected through Teagasc National Farm Survey Dept

methodology

methodology

Methodology Theory of planned behaviour

•receive higher prices•Increase farm income

• Family • Farm advisers • Other farmers

•Suitable farm conditions• farming without using fertilizer

Attitude towards the behaviour

Subjective norm

‘social influence’

Perceived behavioural control

Intention to perform behaviour

Behaviour

Producing organic meat on own farm within the next five years

Identify influences on the intention to convert using statistical methods

ResultsIntention to convert

Intention to convert to organic farming within the next five years is low mean = 1.9, measured from 1 to 5

Almost 75% of farmers scored a 1 or a 2 Indicating a very low or a low intention to convert

6% of farmers scored a 4 or a 5 Indicating considerable interest in going organic

results

Results Attitudes- drivers and barriers of adoption

Neutral attitude towards conversion mean = -0.09, measured from -2 to +2

→ in general farmers do not have a bad perception about organic farming

Drivers: ‘increasing farm income due to higher support payments’ ‘receiving higher prices’

→ financial incentives

Barriers: Farmers’ perception of ‘ producing a product only rich

people can afford’

→ Correlation coefficients show that the negative influence of this barrier dominates the positive influence of the drivers

results

Results influence of others

Farmers do not receive positive feedback from others mean = -0.52, measured from -2 to +2

Influence of other people or information sources: None of these groups encourage farmers to convert

Family Other farmers

→ Most negative influence on conversion

Correlation coefficients show strongest influence on the intention to convert of

the farming press farm advisers

→But not a positive influence

results

Results perceived problems

Farmers have a negative view of their possibility to convert the farm and doubt their own technical ability mean= -0.24, measured from -2 to +2

Concern about: Maintaining animal health based on prevention

mean = -0.61, measured from -2 to +2

Uncertainty about: Own knowledge and skills about farming organically

mean= 0.24, measured from -2 to +2 Time/labour involved in organic farming

mean=0.17, measured from -2 to +2

results

conclusion

Conclusiontake home message

75% of conventional drystock farmers express low or very low intention to convert

What do conventional drystock farmers think about

organics?

In general they themselves don’t have strong opinions about organic farming

But they perceive that others have a negative opinion

They tend to lack confidence about the possibility of converting the farm & their own technical ability to go organic

ConclusionMessage for policy makers

What can be done to increase the size of the sector?

Continuing promotion of organic farming as a profitable alternative to conventional farming

uptake most likely to be financially driven

Raise level of knowledge of farmers about how to farm organically & demonstrate that conversion is possible

the farming press & farm advisers

Change perception of farmers that only rich people can afford to buy organic products

information campaign that demonstrates to farmers that organics are consumed by a broader demographic

conclusion

Thanks for your attention