Exploring the motivations and problems of farmers for conversion to organic farming in Iran

ABSTRACT

Identifying and understanding the heterogeneity of the motivations and problems of farmers is critical for designing better strategies as societies strive to convert towards agricultural approaches such as organic farming and sustainable intensification. The objective of this research is to explore the motivations and problems for conversion to organic farming in Iran. Survey data of Iranian organic producers were collected during the first half of 2015. These data were used to find the statistical determinants of motivations and problems for organic production. Results suggest that economic motivations, health, safety concerns and environmental issues are the predominant motives for conversion, while social and ethical motives are of lesser importance. Problems experienced during conversion relate to marketing, agronomic issues, lack of governmental and institutional support, negative pressure from other farmers and farm groups, and lack of physical and financial capital. To prosper, the Iranian organic sector must overcome fundamental economic problems and challenges. Some of the strategies recommended include the development and scaling up of sustainable intensification, strategies that encourage farmers’ markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) initiatives, and sustainable procurement.

KEYWORDS:

• Organic farming
• motivations
• problems
• conversion
• intensification

Acknowledgements

Thanks to the organic farmers of Gonabad and Mashhad villages for their enthusiastic participation in this research, and to Miss Vali-Olahi and Mrs Darijani for research assistance.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by Shahid Beheshti University as a research project during sabbatical leave in Colorado State University.