BOKU - Universität für Bodenkultur Wien - Forschungsinformationssystem
Gewählte Publikation:
Darnhofer, I., Schneeberger, W., Freyer, B..
(2005):
Converting or not converting to organic farming in Austria: Farmer types and their rationale
Agriculture and Human Values, 22, 1, 39-52
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- Abstract:
- Reasons for converting to organic farming have been studied in a number of instances. However, the underlying rationale that motivates the behavior is not always made clear. This study aims to provide a detailed picture of farmers' decision-making and illustrate the choice between organic and conventional farm management. Based on 21 interviews with farmers, a decision-tree highlighting the reasons and constraints involved in the decision of farmers to use, or not to use, organic production techniques was formulated. The accuracy of the decision-tree was tested through a written survey of 65 randomly sampled farmers. The decision-tree permits the identification of decision criteria and examines the decision-making process of farmers in choosing their farming method. It also allows for the characterization of farmer strategies and values, identifying five types of farmers: the "committed conventional;" the "pragmatic conventional;" the "environment-conscious but not organic;" the "pragmatic organic;" and the "committed organic." The importance of taking into account heterogeneity in farmers' attitudes, preferences, and goals and their impact on the choice of a fanning method is emphasized.
- Autor*innen der BOKU Wien:
- Darnhofer Ika
- Freyer Bernhard
- Schneeberger Walter
- Find related publications in this database (Keywords)
- Austria
- decision-tree
- farmer decision-making
- motivation
- organic farming
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