Conventional Dairy Farmers Converting to Organic Dairy Production in Turkey

Abstract

Organic agriculture is a form of agricultural production in which chemical input is not used and where each step from production to consumption is controlled and certified. Organic agriculture is focused on realizing agricultural activities without polluting soil, air, and water sources. In addition, organic agriculture is an environment-friendly production form that protects plants, animals, and human health. Therefore, adopting and applying organic agriculture methods is increasingly being considered by farmers. There are three primary aims of this study: to determine whether or not dairy farmers are aware of organic agriculture, to determine farmers' tendency toward organic production, and to determine the effective factors on farmers' tendencies to produce organic milk. In the study, probit analysis was used with the purpose of determining the factors on farmers' tendencies to produce organic milk in the future. According to the conducted probit analysis results, a positive relationship exists between considering enlarging the farm, applying innovations, being informed about organic agriculture, and farmers' tendencies to produce organic milk in the future. On the other hand, a negative relationship was found between the distance of the farm to the Milas district center, educational level of the fanners, and farmers' tendencies to produce organic milk in the future. It was determined that an important part of the participating farmers had information about organic agriculture. However, the main reason for farmers to tend not to produce organic milk in the future is not having sufficient information about organic agriculture. Therefore, courses and seminars should be held to increase the knowledge level of farmers in the district about organic stockbreeding. In addition, education and extension activities aimed at organic milk production should be organized. Thus farmers with insufficient information about organic agriculture and those with no information about organic agriculture would be informed about this subject.