The Effects of Organic Certification on Shoppers’ Purchase Intention Formation in Taiwan: A Multi-Group Analysis of Structural Invariance

Labeling products with organic certification logos is a means of indicating to consumers that those products are government certified. However, in Taiwan, organic certification is not required before a food product claims itself organic. Since previous research showed that the COVID-19 lockdown effected both Spanish and Romanian subjects’ intention to purchase more sustainable products, the aim of this study was to determine whether the perception of organic certification labeling makes a difference in how organic shoppers’ purchasing intentions toward organic produce were realized. Data from organic produce shoppers were used to identify organic certification labeling differences. One group of shoppers was asked about their purchase behaviors toward government-certified organic produce labeled with the certification logo (N = 468), while the other was asked about their purchase behaviors toward self-claimed organic produce without a government certification logo (N = 403). Multi-group structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques were employed as the main method of analysis in this study. The results indicated that the hypothesized model was validated. In addition, through this process, it was clarified that this government organic certification labeling significantly enhances the influence of organic produce shoppers’ behavioral beliefs regarding organic produce on their attitudes.

Is Organic Food Becoming Less Safe? A Longitudinal Analysis of Conventional and Organic Product Recalls

Organic products are often portrayed as a healthy alternative—grown in a sustainable way, often locally and subject to external certification scrutiny. However, recent high-profile cases of contaminated organic food have raised questions about the risks associated with organic produce: is organic produce becoming less safe and more risky? The context for this investigation is in the realm of food product recalls. Based on 2010–2017 panel data from the US on food product recalls (with 2721 observations), this paper compares the volume of recalls (adjusted for the growth of sales) between conventional and organic food. This paper further addresses two food-related risks: design risk (a risk that is present in the development of food; such as the use of unapproved ingredients or the omission of some ingredients on the food label) and process risk (a risk within the supply chain, such as the contamination of food products with salmonella or E. coli). Further comparison is drawn based on food product type (here the paper distinguishes between processed and unprocessed food). The paper demonstrates that organic products are becoming less safe and that organic products are recalled at a higher rate. In comparison to conventional produce, organic produce is more prone to process risk and far less to design risk. Similar conclusions are reached even when the organic produce is analysed from a product type perspective.

A Qualitative Analysis of Dietary Practices and Motivators Among Older Adults Living With Parkinson Disease

Research supports the role of diet in the onset and progression of Parkinson disease (PD); however, there is no specific dietary pattern recommended for PD. This is partially due to a paucity of in-depth data on the dietary practices of this population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the dietary practices and motivators of older adults with PD. Eleven dyadic semi-structured interviews with older adults and their care-partners were conducted via Zoom about their dietary practices and motivators. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, and data were thematically analyzed using NVivo 12 software. The following themes were identified: 1) Intentionally making healthier choices on a regular basis; 2) Following a specific dietary pattern; for example, the Mediterranean diet, ketogenic diet, vegetarian diet, and/or intermittent fasting; 3) Limiting or avoiding certain foods, food components, and/or food groups, such as dairy, gluten, sugar, animal meat, and/or alcohol; 4) Purchasing or growing organic produce; and 5) Adjusting the timing of their protein intake to their medications. Their PD diagnosis and symptoms were reported as the primary motivators for following their respective diets. Overall, older adults with PD may be motivated by their diagnosis to modify their dietary intake; however, there are a variety of patterns or restrictions they may be adhering to. These results support the need for a consensus on the dietary recommendations for this patient population.

ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF ORGANIC BEEKEEPING PRODUCTION

The purpose is to study and analyse the prospects for development of economic aspects of organic beekeeping in Ukraine.The article deals with the main trends of greening of life, in particular those related to the beekeeping industry. The most promising activities are outlined and a number of factors that can be used by the entities to form the entrepreneurial potential of rural theories are identified. Beekeeping is the oldest human industry with a centuries-old history and Ukraine is recognized in the world as the homeland of cultural beekeeping. This branch of agriculture in the country provides both pollination of entomophilous crops and the production of various beekeeping products for the needs of the population and for various industries. Methodology. The expediency of introducing organic beekeeping methods is reflected. Requirements for production of organic beekeeping according to the Ukrainian legislation and regarding the requirements of the EU are covered. Results. The certification procedure is described and the certification bodies operating in the territory of Ukraine are characterized. The trends and the state of the organic beekeeping market are reflected, the concepts of “price” and “value” of organic produce are defined. A number of factors affecting the functioning of the beekeeping industry were identified, risks identified and measures taken to minimize them. Value/originality. For effective functioning of the industry it is suggested to use marketing channels and marketing strategies based on foreign experience and taking into account the Ukrainian specificity. The problems of organic beekeeping have been generalized, the main priorities have been identified and the ways of realization of the set tasks have been proposed. Therefore for the effective functioning of the organic beekeeping industry, it is first necessary: to use available natural and climatic potential (protected areas and certified agricultural lands); to develop special regulations and certification system that are adapted to international and European requirements and implement them in production and society; to create an effective mechanism of state support for enterprises that transform their own production and are in the transition period (low credit rates, legal support, compensation for the cost of organic certification) and control; to support and stimulate the development of the organic market through the dissemination of information, the establishment of advisory services and research and educational centers; to enter the international market of organic products as a finished product with its own brand and added value and not just raw materials. All this will increase the number of organic enterprises, employment and the income of producers.

SUPPLY SOURCES OF ORGANIC FOOD PROCESSING COMPANIES IN POLAND

The paper’s objective was to define the main supply sources of organic food processing companies and the barriers occurring in the process of raw produce acquisition. Therefore, in 2019, a survey on organic food processing enterprises was carried out. The survey among 55 processing companies concerned supply in raw organic produce, sales channels, and collaboration within the organic food supply chain. The research results show that the providers of organic food processors are mostly farmers and, to a lesser extent – intermediaries. In the process of provider selection, what is most important for processors are the quality and availability of agricultural products as well as the trust and credibility of a producer. In their opinion, the most important problems occurring in organic food processing are irregularity of deliveries and an inadequate amount of raw produce supplied. Consequently, a number of processors import part of the raw material needed for their production. Therefore, in order to improve the functioning of the processing sphere, measures in the area of farmer and processor collaboration and the improvement of the distribution system need to be introduced or intensified.

Certification label and fresh organic produce category in an emerging country: an experimental study on consumer trust and purchase intention

PurposeOrganic food consumption is growing, increasing the need for studies investigating the importance of organic certification labels in emerging countries. The research aims to identify the influence of certification labels and fresh organic produce categories (greenery, vegetable or fruit) on consumer trust and purchase intention.Design/methodology/approachAn online experimental survey 3 × 3 was administered among 349 Brazilian consumers. Certification label and fresh organic produce category were designated as independent variables and manipulated to explore consumer trust and purchase intention. The authors performed a multivariate covariance analysis (MANCOVA) to analyze the data.FindingsResults show that the certification label does not directly affect the dependent variables. It acts as a moderator and indirectly affects both consumer trust and purchase intention. Moreover, depending on the fresh organic produce category considered (greenery, vegetable or fruit), consumer trust changes. Sociodemographic characteristics, age and household income are also important. Finally, the greater the purchase frequency (the main predictor of the model), the greater the purchase intention and consumer trust.Originality/valueThe study contributes to deepen and expand studies involving organic food and to pave the way for future studies that aim to investigate the importance of certification labels of organic foods for consumers.

Locally Adapted and Organically Grown Landrace and Ancient Spring Cereals—A Unique Source of Minerals in the Human Diet

Consumer interest in local and organic produce, sustainability along the production chain and food products contributing to health, are laying the foundation for local and organic-based diets using nutrient-dense food. Here, we evaluated 25 locally adapted landrace and ancient spring cereal genotypes per location over four locations and three years, for mineral content, nutritional yield and nutrient density. The results showed a large variation in minerals content and composition in the genotypes, but also over cultivation locations, cultivation years and for genotype groups. Highest minerals content was found in oats, while highest content of Zn and Fe was found in ancient wheats. The wheat Diamant brun, the wheat landrace Öland and naked barley showed high mineral values and high content of Zn and Fe when grown in Alnarp. Nutritional yield, of the cereals evaluated here, was high related to values reported internationally but lower than those found in a comparable winter wheat material. The nutrient density was generally high; less than 350 g was needed if any of the evaluated genotype groups were to be used in the daily diet to reach the recommended value of Zn and Fe, while if the suggested Novel Nordic Diet mix was used, only 250 g were needed. A transfer from currently consumed cereals to those in the present study, along the New Nordic Diet path, showed their potential to contribute as sustainable and nutrient-rich sources in the human diet.

Conversion to organic farming: a dynamic opportunity for Pakistani smallholders of fresh fruit

ABSTRACT: Exporting the organic fresh fruit (FF) to Europe and America could be regarded as great opportunity for smallholders and suppliers of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. Yet, the global organic farmland and the number of organic producers are continued to grow. To date, little is known about the behavior of Pakistani farmers towards organic fresh fruit production. This study examined the factors that influence the decision-making of fresh fruit smallholders concerning the conversion to organic farming (COF). This study uses Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior (TPB) to predict the behavior of Pakistani smallholders of fresh fruit. Path analysis examined the utility of the extended version of the TPB model to anticipate 277 small-scale farmers’ behavioral intentions towards the adoption of organic farming (AOF) and their prospect of converting their farm to organic produce within the next three years. The present study reported that the smallholders’ attitude (ATT), subjective norms (SN), perceived behavior control (PBC), and farmer’s group participation (FGP) were positively correlated with farmer’s intention to adopt organic farming, while group participation of farmers has significant correlation with their behavior regarding production of organic fruits. The present study justifies using the model of farmers’ group participation in policies that deliberately cheer up smallholders of fresh fruit to adopt organic farming, to raise farm incomes and to alleviate poverty.

Investigating the factors that affect the adoption of organic agriculture in Asokwa, Kumasi Metropolis

Urban agriculture, particularly organic vegetable production is promoted because of its contribution to food security and enhanced income. More so, organic agriculture considerably enhances the income of urban farmers who practice it. The objective was to investigate the factors that affect farmers' decision to adopt organic agriculture. Due to the contamination of vegetables with conventional agriculture systems, increasing concerns about the quality of food, the health of consumers and the environmental impacts of farming systems, organic agriculture is being promoted by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture as a means of addressing the problem. Since the introduction of organic agriculture, some farmers have adopted the technology while others have not. Sixteen farmers were selected, ten from those adopting and six from those not adopting. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were used to extract data from the participants. For those who adopted, the knowledge of their parents and forefathers on agriculture and their personal experiences by comparing their organic produce with conventional ones greatly inspired their decision on adoption. Factors leading to non-adoption are: inadequate awareness about organic farming, difficulty in controlling pests, diseases and improving soil fertility and perceived lack of market for the organic vegetables. As a result, effective extension monitoring and training are recommended to enhance the adoption and sustainability of organic agriculture.

Comparative Analysis of Financial Viability and Supply Chain Management of Organic and Conventional Farming in Telangana

Increased awareness about the ill effects of synthetic chemicals in the food chain, the falling dividends from the conventional production system and growing consumer preference for pesticide-free food have paved the way for organic agriculture as an alternative to the conventional system of farming which solely depends on chemicals. The study aims to compare and analyze the financial viability of selected crops viz., paddy and cotton under organic and conventional farming and the analysis of different supply chains involved in the marketing of organic and conventional food products. The present study was carried out in Jangaon district, which is very well known in the organic farming sector of Telangana state. For the study during the period of 2019-20, ten organic and ten conventional farmers had been selected for each selected crop using a simple random sampling technique. Thus, the sample consists of 20 organic farmers and 20 conventional farmers. The data collected from respondents were analysed using the cost concepts, budgeting technique and Acharya’s approach according to the objectives. The results indicated that the cost of cultivation of conventional crops are more than organic crops due to the increased usage of expensive chemicals in conventional farming. The farmers realize a high premium price for their organic produce and also high net returns, thus have higher financial viability in organic farming. The supply chain of organic produce involving Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) has high efficiency because it offers the producers a major share in consumer’s rupee and establishes a direct link between the producer and consumer. The study has revealed that organic farming gives better income to the farmers, if marketing linkages are established and they can fetch a better price for organic products than conventional products.