Factors Affecting the Extension and Development of Organic Farming Activities

Increasing human societies' need for food security and the development of new science and technology, such as the production of high-yielding cultivars, the use of chemical inputs and genetic engineering, have devastating effects on the environment and natural resources. Therefore, extensive efforts have been made to introduce alternative agriculture as one of the ways to achieve sustainable development. Organic farming is a type of sustainable agriculture with the aim of creating integrated, systematic and humane agricultural production systems that are not in conflict with environmental and economic benefits. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting organic farming activities among farmers in Bushehr Province. Using a survey, this study collected data from 67 farmers in two regions of Bushehr Province using stratified random sampling method. The face validity and reliability of the questionnaire were confirmed by university professors and Jihad Keshavarzi Research Center and a pilot study, respectively. Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged from 0.6 to 0.91. The findings of structural equation models of the both regions revealed that factors such as knowledge of organic farming principles, attitude toward environmental conservation, attitude toward human health, attitude to conventional agriculture consequences and attitude toward reference group were the main determinants of farmers` attitude and behaviors toward organic farming systems.  Finally, suggestions are presented to encourage farmers to use organic farming.