farmer attitudes towards converting to organic farming doris läpple 1, 2 and trevor donnellan 1 1...
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![Page 1: Farmer attitudes towards converting to organic farming Doris Läpple 1, 2 and Trevor Donnellan 1 1 Rural Economy Research Centre, Teagasc, Athenry, Co](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022082817/56649dca5503460f94ac061c/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
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
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overview
Overview of presentation
Main objective and context
Methodology
Results
Conclusion
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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
![Page 4: Farmer attitudes towards converting to organic farming Doris Läpple 1, 2 and Trevor Donnellan 1 1 Rural Economy Research Centre, Teagasc, Athenry, Co](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022082817/56649dca5503460f94ac061c/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
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
![Page 5: Farmer attitudes towards converting to organic farming Doris Läpple 1, 2 and Trevor Donnellan 1 1 Rural Economy Research Centre, Teagasc, Athenry, Co](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022082817/56649dca5503460f94ac061c/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Thanks for your attention