ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Conventional Dairy Farmers Converting
to Organic Dairy Production in Turkey
Tayfun Cukur
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Department of Marketing and Advertising, Mugla Sitki Kocman University Milas Vocational School,
48200, Milas, Mugla, Turkey
Submission date: 2015-03-04
Final revision date: 2015-04-10
Acceptance date: 2015-04-10
Publication date: 2015-07-27
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2015;24(4):1543-1551
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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 farmers, 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.