1. 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

2. Overview of presentation
Main objective and context
Methodology
Results
Conclusion
overview

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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 = quite false), whereas they don’t know if others would approve or disapprove of them going organic (mean = don’t know).
results

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Thanks for your attention