Why do farmers not convert to organic farming? Modeling conversion to organic farming as a major change
Authored by Qing Xu, Sylvie Huet, Guillaume Deffuant, Christophe Poix, Isabelle Boisdon
Date Published: 2018
DOI: 10.1111/nrm.12171
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Abstract
This study aims to better understand why farmers do not convert to
organic farming by studying decision trajectories in a dynamic
agent-based model. In this model, an agent's decision on transitioning
to organic is based on the comparison between satisfaction with its
current situation and potential satisfaction with an alternative farming
strategy. A farmer's satisfaction was modeled by borrowing from the
Theory of Reasoned Action and computed by comparing the farmer's
performance over time against the farming practices of other farmers to
which he/she lends great credibility (important others). Analysis
identified five different reasons why a farmer does not change strategy.
Three are due to satisfaction or recovered satisfaction with the current
situation. The conversion to organic farming is effectively a major
change and cannot be envisaged if the farmer is currently satisfied.
Satisfaction can be recovered when evaluation by the farmer or important
others finds an improvement of the current situation. A farmer's
decision to not convert can also be due to negative evaluations of
organic farming by important others, or to dissatisfaction with the
current situation being too transient to prompt the effort to convert.
Summary for Managers A farmer's decision on whether or not to convert to
organic farming is deeply influenced by his/her satisfaction with the
current strategy and potential satisfaction under an alternative farming
strategy. A farmer's satisfaction is computed by comparing the farmer's
performance over time against the farming practices of other farmers to
which he/she lends great credibility. The conversion to organic farming
is effectively a major change, and a farmer will not envisage a change
of strategy if he/she is satisfied with their current situation. A
farmer's satisfaction can be recovered when evaluation by the farmer or
social peers finds an improvement of the current situation. If a
farmer's credible peers have a negative assessment of organic farming or
if his/her own dissatisfaction with the current situation is too
short-lived, then farmer will not convert to organic farming.
Tags
Agent-based model
Agriculture
Social influence
Transitions
Sustainability
networks
Adoption
Decision-Making
diffusion
systems
credibility
Decisions
Prospects
Planned behavior
Food
Major change
Organic
farming
Theory of reasoned action
Conservation behavior