Study of farmers’ knowledge about organic farming (Case study: Vegetable growers in Bavi city, Khuzestan province)

Subject Areas : Food Security

Marzieh  mousavi ¹ (MSc of Agricultural Extension and Education, Ramin University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Khozestan, Iran. * (Corresponding Author))
Bahman  khosravipour ² (Associate Professor Ramin University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Khozestan, Iran.)

Received: 2016-05-17 Accepted : 2016-11-02 Published : 2019-06-22

Keywords: Food security, Organic farming, Knowledge,

Abstract :

Background and Objective: In recent decades, the problem of food security and health issues among the populations worldwide jave been one of the main challenges for human societies. In this regard, the necessity of converting the conventional farming to organic farming was raised. Method: This study was done to investigate the farmers’ knowledge about organic farming in Bavi city, Khuzestan province. The statistical population consisted vegetable growers in Bavi city (N=140) and the statistical sample was determined using the Morgan’s table (n=104). The statistical sample was chosen through simple random sampling technique. The data were collected using a questionnaire whose validity was confirmed by a panel of Agricultural extension and Education experts. Moreover, its reliability was confirmed using the Cronbachs alpha (α=0/96). Finally, the data were analyzed by SPSSwin16. Findings: The results showed that the knowledge of over 62% of the respondents about organic farming is low. There was a significant difference (p=0/01) between farming experience and knowledge about organic farming. Moreover, there was a significant difference (p=0/05) between the size of farmland and the education level and knowledge about organic farming. Results of regression analyses indicates that farming experience and size of farmland were the only variables explaining 24/2% knowledge changes. Discussion and Conclusion: The results showed that farmers' knowledge regarding organic agriculture is low. Althougf the importance of knowledge in adoption and development of a new technology is obvious, lack of information and knowledge has been raised as a limitation and a great obstacle for the development of organic farming.

References:

1. Ostadi, Y., Yavari, G.R., Shojaee, M., Mirdamadi, M., Shokat Fadaee, M. & Ostadi, F. 2013. Social and Cultural Factors Affecting the Purchase of a Healthy and Organic Product. Second National Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Development and Healthy Environment, Summer 2013, Hamadan, Iran. (Inpersian).

1. Sadati, A.H.,  Sadati, A.G., Shaabanali Fami ,H. and Taher Tolou Del, P.2010. Survey Consumer Attitude Toward Barriers of Organic Products (OP) in Iran: A Case Study in Gorgan City.World Applied Sciences Journal,Vol.8, pp. 1298-1303.  

3. Schnug, E., Haneklaus, S., Rahmann, G. and Walker, R. 2006. Organic farming stewardship for food security, food quality, environment and nature conservation.  COR 2006, Aspects of Applied Biology 79, pp. 57- 62.

1. Assis, K. and Mohd Ismail, H.A. 2011.  Knowledge, Attitude and oractices of  farmers towards organic farming.  Int. J. Eco. Res.,Vol.2, No.3, pp: 6 -1.


2. United Nations Environment Programme. 2010.Organic Agriculture: Opportunities for Promoting Trade, Protecting the Environment and Reducing Poverty, Capacity Building Task Force on Trade, Environment and Development. See information in:Http:www.unep.ch


3. Anvari, A. & Saleh Pour, S. 2013. Investigating Barriers to Organic Farming Implementation Case Study:Marhamat Abad Village of Miandoab County. Second National Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Development and Healthy Environment, Summer 2013,  Hamadan, Iran. (Inpersian).


4. Hashemi, S., Jalaleian, H. & Yaghoobi, J. 2012. Abadeh tashak neyriz farmers' attitude about organic farming. Lournal of Agricultural Education Administration Research, Fall 2012, No. 22. . (Inpersian).


5. Sahebi, S., Hasanvandian, M. & Movahedi, R. 2013. Investigation of Organic Agricultural Development Strategies according to experts of Agricultural Jihad in Hamadan province. Second National Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Development and Healthy Environment, Summer 2013, Hamadan , Iran. (Inpersian).


6. Karami, G.H. & Rezaee Moghadam, K. 2013. Organic farming: A sustainable approach to environmental protection. Journal of the growth of technical and vocational education,

Spring 2013, Vol. 8, No. 3. (Inpersian).

1. Gul Aygen, F. 2012.  Attitudes and Behavior of Turkish Consumers with Respect to Organic Food. International Journal of Business and Social Science Vol.3,18.


2. Asghari, A. & Haghighi, k. 2013. Some problems and solutions to support and promote organic farming. Second National Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Development and Healthy Environment, Summer ,2013, Hamadan, Iran. (Inpersian).
   
   
   1. Wheeler, S. 2005. Factors Influencing Agricultural Professionals’ Attitudes Towards Organic Agriculture and Biotechnology. Centre for Regulation and Market Analysis, University of South Australia, See information in:Http: //een .anu. edu.au.
   
   


3. Morad Haseli, S. & Mirak Zadeh, A.A. 2013. The effects of conventional agriculture on the environment. Second National Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Development and Healthy Environment, Summer ,2013, Hamadan, Iran. (Inpersian).


4. Ansari, D. & Hemmati, A.  2007. The role of education and extension in increasing productivity and reducing waste. The first scientific conference of rural women in reducing crop waste, Spring 2007, 29 April, Tehran-Iran. (Inpersian).


5. Babaakbari sari, M. , Asadi, A., Akbari, M. , Fakharzadeh, S.A. & Sookhtanloo, M. 2009. An Investigation of the ‍Consumer Attitudes and Effective Factors in Adoption of Agricultural Organic Products. Iranian Journa of Agricultural Economics and Development Research, Vol. 39, Issue 1.(Inpersian).


6. Yagoobi, J. & Naseri, A. 2010. Survey of Solutions for Protecting Organic Agriculture in Iran. The first national conference on sustainable agriculture and healthy crop production, Fall 2010- Isfahan, Iran. (Inpersian).


7. Shiri, N., Arabi, R. & Mirak Zadeh, A.A. 2011. Investigation and analysis of cucumber knowledge Dare Shahr City Towards Organic Farming.  First National Congress of Modern Agricultural Science and Technologies, Summer 2011- Zanjan, Iran. (In persian).


8. Rajabi, A., Shaban Ali Fami, H. & Pour Atashi, M.  2013. Investigating adoption component of agricultural organic products from the viewpoints of consumers (A case study in Karaj County). Vol.10, No. 38, pp: 33- 43. (In persian).


9. Acs, S.,  Berentsen , P.B.M. , and Huirne, R.B.M.2005.  Modelling conventional and organic farming: a literature review. NJAS 53 -1.
   
   
   1. Sherief, A.K, Anilkumar, A.S, Sakeer Husain, A. & Jayawardana, J.K .J.P. 2008.   Socio-psychological characteristics of farmers in the adoption of organic farming practices in coconut based homesteads of humid tropics, who is readin. See information in http://www .cabdirect .org/abstracts, 767-770, 2008.
   
   
   2. Kumar, S. & Jabir,A. 2011.   Analyzing the Factors Affecting Consumer Awareness on Organic Foods in India.  Prepared for presentation at 21st Annual IFAMA World Forum and Symposium on the Road to 2050: Sustainability as a Business Opportunity, Frankfurt, Germany during June20- 23.
   
   
   3. Oyesola, O.B.,Obabire,I.E. 2012. Farmers perceptions of Organic farming in selected local goverment areas  of Ekiti state, Nigeria.  Journal of Organic Systems, Vol.6, No. 1.
   
   
   4. Singh,S. and George, R. 2012.  Organic Farming: Awareness and Beliefs of Farmers in Uttarakhand, India.  J Hum Ecol,Vol. 37, NO.2, pp: 139-149.
   
   
   5. Altarawneh,M. 2014. Consumer Awareness towards Organic Food: A Pilot Study in Jordan. Journal of Agriculture and Food Technology,vol.3, No.12, pp:14- 18. 
   
   
   6. Mondal, Sh., Theerachai Haitook,Th. and  Simaraks, S. ,2014.  Farmers’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practice toward Organic Vegetables Cultivation in Northeast Thailand . Kasetsart J. (Soc. Sci) Vol.35,pp: 158- 166.