Farmer attitudes towards converting to organic farming Doris Läpple1, 2 and Trevor Donnellan1 1Rural Economy Research Centre, Teagasc, Athenry, Co. Galway 2Department of Economics, National University of Ireland, Galway 2nd December 2008

Overview of presentation Main objective and context Methodology Results Conclusion overview

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 main objective

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 Theory of planned behaviour receive higher prices Increase farm income Attitude towards the behaviour Intention to perform behaviour Family Farm advisers Other farmers Subjective norm ‘social influence’ Behaviour Producing organic meat on own farm within the next five years Suitable farm conditions farming without using fertilizer Perceived behavioural control Identify influences on the intention to convert using statistical methods methodology

Results Intention 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 How likely is it that you will produce organic meat on your farm within the next five years? Very unlikely …very likely How strong is your intention to produce organic meat on your farm? Very strong to very weak Measured on a 1 to 5 scale. Mean of 1.9 = weak/unlikely 6% = 11 farmers 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 Neutral attitude, but slightly negative, the higher the intention the more positive the attitudes (measured on a scale from -2 to +2) Barriers and drivers were identified by calculating correlation coefficients between the outcome belief statements and intention. Non-parametric spearman type as data are ordinal. 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 Farmers don’t think that others (who are important to them) think they should produce organic meat (mean -1.01 = quite false), whereas they don’t know if others would approve or disapprove of them going organic (mean -0.03 = don’t know). 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 Based on 2 questions: possibility is rated more negative (-0.41) than the own technical ability (-0.07); this indicates that farmers are uncertain about own technical ability. Maintaining animal health also showed the strongest correlation to intention, which indicates that this is the strongest barrier. results

Conclusion take 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 conclusion

Conclusion Message 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