Risk and risk management in organic agriculture: Views of organic farmers

2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (04) ◽  
pp. 218-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Hanson ◽  
Robert Dismukes ◽  
William Chambers ◽  
Catherine Greene ◽  
Amy Kremen
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6852
Author(s):  
Camila Fritzen Cidón ◽  
Paola Schmitt Figueiró ◽  
Dusan Schreiber

The opportunities for the global growth of the bioeconomy (BE) are generated by the need to expand the food supply for an increasing world population without compromising the environment even further. Organic agriculture (OA) claims to be more environmentally friendly than conventional agriculture and capable of addressing sustainable development objectives by using green technologies, resulting in economic, social, and ecological benefits. The aim of this paper is to investigate the relation between OA and BE through a systematic literature review. We addressed the benefits of OA under perspective of the main aspects of BE. As demonstrated by previous papers assessed on this review, OA can be a means to facilitate strategies for the use of renewable resources to mitigate the emergencies arising from global warming, as claimed by the BE concept. This article introduces a necessary discussion due the lack of previous studies reporting the capacity of OA to connect with the BE. As a final contribution, we present a conceptual framework characterizing potential benefits of OA under the perspective of BE, for organic farmers and researchers to advance in sustainability and green innovation.


2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leland L. Glenna ◽  
Raymond A. Jussaume

AbstractA 1999 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy on organic certification excluded the use of genetically modified (GM) crops. The decision remains controversial because it provokes debate over the fundamental meaning of organic agriculture. Some scholars, farmers and activists claim that organic agriculture represents a value orientation that is opposed to trends in industrial agriculture, of which GM crops are the latest product. Because organic farmers are a significant constituency in this debate, we examined their values and practices related to marketing, environment and GM crops. From a survey of 1181 Washington State farmers, we created a sub-sample of 598 crop farmers (fruits, vegetables and grains), of which 109 described themselves as organic (certified organic, moving towards organic certification and non-certified organic), and we analyzed organic and conventional farmer responses to a number of issues to discern comparative commitment to self-seeking economic interests. Results reveal differences among conventional and organic farmers on GM crops and several marketing and environmental values and practices, suggesting that there is some validity to portraying organic agriculture as an alternative vision to industrial agriculture.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 640-654
Author(s):  
Norden Lepcha ◽  
Panya Mankeb ◽  
Suneeporn Suwanmaneepong

Abstract Bhutan aspires to be an entirely organic nation. Food self-sufficiency and increasing farm household income are critical priorities in the country. Realising these priorities necessitates assessing the country’s current organic agriculture performance. The objectives of this study were to investigate the productivity and profitability of organic and conventional potato and farmers’ constraints in producing organic potato in West-Central Bhutan. Multistage and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the study sample. A semi-structured questionnaire and face-to-face interviews were employed to gather primary data for the 2019 cropping cycle from 93 potato farmers: 43 organic farmers in the Gasa District and 50 conventional farmers in Wangdue Phodrang District. Descriptive statistics, cost and return analysis, and independent sample t-test were applied for data analysis. The results revealed that the conventional potato’s productivity (tuber yield) and profitability were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than organic potatoes. The average productivities for organic and conventional potatoes were 7.48 and 19.22 t/ha, respectively. Organic potato farmers incurred a loss of −202,708.47 Ngultrum (Nu)/ha, while conventional potato farmers incurred a profit of 83,832.85 Nu/ha. The benefit-cost ratios of organic and conventional potato stood at 0.40 and 1.27, respectively. Lack of premium price, pest and disease problems, low crop productivity, and climate change were the constraints faced by organic potato farmers. The study found that the productivity and profitability of the conventional potatoes were higher than the organic potatoes in West-Central Bhutan in the current scenario. Further, the critical information will contribute to guiding Bhutan’s vision for its organic agriculture development.


2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Altenbuchner ◽  
Stefan Vogel ◽  
Manuela Larcher

AbstractCotton is an important source of income for smallholder farmers in India, usually grown very intensively. To counteract negative impacts of cotton cultivation in India, such as environmental degradation and financial dependency due to high input costs, organic cotton cultivation is being promoted by non-governmental organizations in the country. This study examines how the conversion to organic cotton cultivation influences the livelihood of smallholder farmers in rural India. Interviews with organic farmers were conducted in Odisha, India, complemented by expert interviews and observations in the field. Results show that farmers profit from organic agriculture, mainly due to soil improvements, through reduced exposure to toxic chemicals and lower input costs, which in turn reduces dependency on money lenders. Organic agriculture enables smallholder farmers in the study region to improve their livelihood by providing access to training and by organizing in groups. Important social impacts identified in this study were capacity building and strengthened communities, through training and institution building. However, a higher workload, due to the higher work intensity of organic farming practices, was also observed, with this impacting women more than men. Environmental conditions and gender aspects still remain challenging.


2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Tzouramani ◽  
George Alexopoulos ◽  
Giorgos Kostianis ◽  
Leonidas Kazakopoulos

AbstractThis study attempts to enrich the debate on the different forms of risk management strategies that are utilized by organic farmers and to assess the internal dynamics within the organic farming community by examining the attitudes and practices of these farmers. In particular, using a factor analysis, this study determines the attitudes of Greek farmers toward risk management strategies and focuses on the differences in risk attitudes between existing organic farmers and non-organic farmers. Second, using a probit analysis, this study characterizes the key factors that affect Greek farmers' attitudes with respect to risk management strategies. The thorough presentation of this research study provides essential information to policy-makers for understanding the factors that induce farmers to participate in organic agriculture. Moreover, the analysis of the risk management strategies that organic farmers apply is expected to offer valuable insights that will be critical for the timely introduction and efficient application of the forthcoming post-2013 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) measures.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Dwi Mardani ◽  
Maulana Surya Kusumah

The Tani Jaya 2 farmer group is the only farming community that can develop their organic farming and survival since it was founded. As farmers who grow organic crops, they need special efforts to maintain their existence. Using a qualitative research design, researchers found that organic farmers face many challenges in managing their organic agriculture. For this reason, they must develop and ensure the sustainability of organic farming. Efforts to build farmers' knowledge in maintaining organic farming were established and influenced by the success of the strategies they used. Their plans include, firstly, empowering through the assistance of agricultural capital. Second, maintaining product quality. Third, build an external cooperation network. By relying on this effort, organic farming in Jember District can survive. Keywords: awareness construction, organic farmer strategy, organic farmer empowerment. Referensi: Basrowi. 2005. Pengantar Sosiologi. Bogor: Ghalia Indonesia. Creswell,         John     W.       2014.   Research Design:        Pendekatan     Metode Kualitatif,       Kuantitatif, dan Campuran. Terjemahan   oleh Achmad Fawaidi & Rianayati K.P. 2016. Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar. Damsar & Indriyani. 2009. Pengantar sosiologi ekonomi. Jakarta: Prenadamedia Group. Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan. 1991. Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia. Jakarta: Balai Pustaka. Harker, R., Mahar, C., dan Wilkes, Chris. 1990. (Habitus X Modal) + Ranah =      Praktik:           Pengantar Paling Komprehensif kepada Pemikiran Pierre Bourdieu. Terjemahan oleh Pipit Maizier. Yogyakarta: Jalasutra. Henslin, James M. 2006. Sosiologi dengan Pendekatan Membumi (6 ed.). (W. Hardani, B. A. Yoso, Eds., & K. Sunarto, Trans.). Jakarta: Erlangga Khotimah,       Aidah Chusnul.          2016. Konstruksi Pengetahuan Tentang Pertanian Organik  Pada Petani Desa    Wates Kabupaten Tulungagung. Skripsi. Jember: Sosiologi. Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan      Ilmu Politik.  Universitas Jember. Moleong, Lexi J. 2000. Metode Penelitian Kualitatif. (Tjun Sujarman, (Ed.).  Bandung: PT. Remaja Rosdakarya. Mubarok, J. Ifnul. 2012. Kamus Istilah Ekonomi. Bandung: Yrama Widya Pribadi, Deki. 2016. Strategi Kelompok Tani Mandiri dalam Mewujudkan Pertanian Organik dan Wisata Organik di Desa Lombok Kulon Kecamatan Wonosari Kabupaten Bondowoso. Skripsi. Jember: Sosiologi. Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik. Universitas Jember. Ritzer, George dan Goodman, D. J. Teori Sosiologi Modern. Terjemahan Oleh Alimandan. 2003. Jakarta: Kencana. Soekanto, Soerjono. 1983. Kamus Sosiologi. Jakarta: CV. Rajawali. Soetriono. 1993. Dasar Ilmu Pertanian. Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Jember. Sutanto, Rachman. 2002. Pertanian Organik: Menuju Pertanian Alternatif dan Berkelanjutan. Yogyakarta: Kanisius. Universitas Jember. 2012. Pedoman Penulisan Karya Ilmiah. Jember: Jember University Press. Internet: Firli, Andhika. 2013. Revolusi Hijau dan Dampak    Buruknya. http://www.kompasiana.com/firlianggara/revolusi-hijaudandampakburuknya_552e08686ea8345b248 b457b. diakses             tanggal 03 Oktober 2016.


Author(s):  
Violeta Vateva

The quality and quantity of agricultural production depend on the fertility of the soil type on which it is grown. Soil fertility is the result of the interaction of multiple mutually merged factors. Loss of soil fertility leads to soil degradation. Subsequently, it gradually becomes unfit for farming activity. Controlling the maintenance and enhancement of soil fertility is the guarantor of sustainable yields and population satisfaction with food resources, protecting land from degradation, and preserving biodiversity of ecosystems. The report examines the opportunities for restoration of the soil fertility of the agricultural lands of the Yambol Agro region. The aim is to analyze and propose for practice the most suitable methods of organic farming, with the application of which to preserve and improve the fertility of soils from the agricultural fund of the region. The proposed options are in line with the requirements of the European Union and the elements of the Common Agricultural Policy for Conservation of Soil Fertility. As a result of analysis and studies found that the preservation and maintenance of soil fertility in agricultural land in Yambol agroregion is recognized and priority policy of the departments of Agriculture and farmers. From soil fertility conservation methods, organic farmers in Yambol Agro region apply a comprehensive approach, focusing primarily on bio-fertilization, crop rotation and sequential soil treatment systems.


2009 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gopal Datt Bhatta ◽  
Werner Doppler ◽  
Krishna Bahadur KC

Increasing use of agro-chemicals, higher production cost and deteriorating ecosystem health have advocated the need to change traditional and external input use agriculture towards safe and sustainable organic production. Current research focuses on the constraints and opportunities of organic agriculture and consumers' awareness and willingness to pay more for organic vegetables by selecting producers from Lalitpur and Bhaktpur districts using spatial sampling and consumers from Kathmandu valley randomly. Data obtained from structured questionnaire were subjected to descriptive and econometric analysis and willingness to pay analysis. Most of the farmers interviewed are aware about the negative repercussion of the indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals. Organic vegetables are either home delivered and/or sold to the specialized niche markets. All domestic organic products reach to consumers without labeling. Most of the organic consumers are willing to pay eight rupees more for labeled organic vegetables. Currently organic farmers rely only on consumers' willingness to pay more to obtain a compensation for lower yields. Family income, education, profession etc are key attributes of the consumers shaping their decision to buy organic vegetables. Organic industry is too small and a long way to go in Nepal. Political commitments such as avoiding conflicting drive to maximize production, hammering proactive policy, initiating organic technology research, providing market incentives and institutionalization of Nepalese organic movement are imperative to further enhance organic sector in Nepal.  Key words: Awareness; Consumers; Marketing; Organic vegetables; Regression; Willingness to payThe Journal of Agriculture and Environment Vol:10, Jun.2009 Page: 14


2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leopold Kirner ◽  
Stefan Vogel ◽  
Walter Schneeberger

Organic farmers throughout Austria were asked in 1999 if, once the first agri-environmental program (ÖPUL) ends, they intended to commit themselves to a further five-year period of organic farming. The study presented here addresses those farmers who expressed in the survey the intention to end their participation in organic farming under ÖPUL, or who were undecided at that time. The aim was to compare and analyze the intended behavior with actual behavior. The research was based on material from, and analyses of, the 1999 survey and the survey conducted in 2002. Additional information regarding the reasons for abandoning (or continuing) organic farming and the decision-making process itself was collected through a series of telephone interviews in 2004. The comparison revealed a connection between actual behavior and the intentions expressed in the 1999 survey. However, there were no clear differences in terms of the reasons given in 1999 for potentially discontinuing with organic farming between those farms that remained organic and those that reverted to conventional farming methods. There were differences between those reasons given in the 1999 survey for potentially leaving organic agriculture and the reasons that determined the actual decision, as cited in telephone interviews in 2004. In the 1999 survey, economic issues were the main reasons for potentially ceasing to farm organically. When it came to the actual decision, problems concerning organic guidelines and inspections were more prominent. The environmental attitudes and the social embedding of the farmers within organic agriculture played a decisive role on those enterprises that chose to continue farming organically. The analysis indicates that the presence of a successor is also a stabilizing factor for organic farming.


Author(s):  
Bader Alhafi Alotaibi ◽  
Edgar Yoder ◽  
Mark A. Brennan ◽  
Hazem S. Kassem

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