Abstract

Factors influencing consumers’ perception of environmental effects of organic agriculture, and health benefits and consumption of organic vegetables were determined using linear regression analyses of primary data collected through consumers’ survey in Bangkok. Results revealed that household income, respondent’s age and gender, access to information on organic vegetables, household members with health problems and location of residence in suburban area had significant positive influence on consumers’ perceptions of environmental effects of organic agriculture and health benefits of organic vegetables. Perceptions of environmental effects of organic agriculture and health benefits of organic vegetables, organic vegetable prices, organic vegetable stores accessibility, and household income had significant positive influence on consumption of organic vegetables. Child in household had significant negative influence on consumption of organic vegetables, and causes are given. Relevant policy recommendations include creating effective consumers’ awareness of health and environmental benefits of organic vegetables and wider promotion of organic vegetables consumption.

Highlights

  • As organic farm-produce are generated using inputs and methods that do not harm the producers’ and consumers’ health, and the environment as well, these are becoming increasingly popular in developed and in developing countries (Altarawneh 2013; Kumar and Ali 2011; Gracia and de Magistris 2008)

  • Factors influencing consumers’ perception of the environmental effects of organic agriculture In the analysis using the stepwise multiple linear regression final model with 5 independent variables, household income which explained 66% of the variance, was found to be the most influential variable followed by gender and age of respondents, access to information on organic agriculture, and presence of household member with a health problems (Table 3)

  • The results show that there is a tendency towards an increase in consumers’ correct perception of the environmental effects of organic agriculture with increasing household income, female respondents, access to information on organic vegetables, and respondents’ age, and household member with health problems (Table 4)

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Summary

Introduction

As organic farm-produce are generated using inputs and methods that do not harm the producers’ and consumers’ health, and the environment as well, these are becoming increasingly popular in developed and in developing countries (Altarawneh 2013; Kumar and Ali 2011; Gracia and de Magistris 2008). The Government of Thailand has been promoting the importance of organic agriculture since the enforcement of the First National Organic Agricultural Development Strategic Plan (Panyakul and Kongsom 2015). Under this Strategic Plan, policies and programs promoting organic agriculture have been implemented in the country (Kasem and Thapa 2012). Despite the Government’s effort, only 34,109.39 ha of land accounting for 0.29% of the total agricultural area in Thailand as of 2013 are devoted to organic farming. There are only 9281 organic farms in the country accounting for 0.18% of Srinieng and Thapa Agricultural and Food Economics (2018) 6:5

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