Constraints on the organic farming decision
Any one motivation is sufficient to lead a farmer to grow organic products. However, any one constraint can prevent a farmer from actually growing organic products. Figure 3.3 shows the constraints which applied to those farmers who had a motivation to grow organic products. Criterion 16 was relevant to two farmers, both smallholders, who had occupations which did not allow them to put time into searching for an organic crop that they could grow, and they did not grow organic crops. Criterion 17 was relevant to eight farmers (four of whom were smallholders) who had not yet found an organic crop, or were still developing production techniques (e.g. production of nursery plugs (small plants)). As one smallholder put it: "We are going around with our eyes wide open, searching for the ultimate crop to make our fortune". Another smallholder in this group had considered growing organic peas for Heinz-Wattie but the farm was too small. However, there were two full-time farmers who were looking for organic crops to supplement their ongoing activities in one case, or to move into organic crops more fully in the other. Farmers agreeing with criterion 17 were committed to organic production for a variety of reasons but were still looking for their organic crop. While there was one farmer who had started to produce an organic crop it was still in the development stage. Generally then, this group of farmers can be described as "Hopeful Organic".
Criterion 18 was relevant to three farmers who were very interested in organic production but were unable to pursue their interest largely because of family and financial commitments. Their mortgage required sticking with conventional production because of its certainties. Conventional farming was "too easy" in terms of using known inputs and their expertise to produce a product with a fairly certain financial return. Two of these farmers were on dairy farms and there were no premiums available for organic milk and their heavy soil precluded vegetable crops. In the other case the farmer did have an alternative in producing organic apples and was working towards that goal. While these farmers are not growing organic they wanted to and they can be labelled as "Frustrated Organic" farmers.
Figure 3.3 shows that of the 44 farmers who had decided to grow organic there were 13 for whom a constraint applied and they do not grow organic products despite their strong motivation. This leaves 31 farmers who actually grew an organic product of some kind. The figure also shows some additional information about these 31 organic farmers and the eight Hopeful Organics. Criterion 21 identifies their attitude to changes in the premium price for organic products and shows the level of commitment to organic farming. Of the 39 farmers there were 11 who would switch to conventional production if price premiums were to decrease in future, and 25 who would not, and three cases for whom this question was not asked. These data show that among the organic farmers there are two types: the "Pragmatic Organic" and "Committed Organic" farmers.
Contact for Enquiries
Kay Brown
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0695
Fax: +64 4 4 894 0746
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