Factors Affecting Farmers' Perceptions Towards Benefits of Organic Farming

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This study analyzes the factors affecting the perceptions of organic farmers in Kilis regarding the benefits of organic agriculture. For this reason, data was collected by conducting a face-to-face survey of 279 of 445 farmers in Kilis who produce organic olive oil. The multivariate PROBIT regression method was used for data analysis. According to the regression results, the increase in the age or experience of the farmer increases the probability of seeing the benefit of organic farming as preserving the organic components in the soil. On the other hand, women are more likely to see the conservation of organic components in the soil as a benefit of organic farming than men. As the income level increases, the cost emerges as a benefit of organic agriculture. Compared to women, men see the benefit of organic farming as reducing the cost of production. The effect of the independent variables used in the study on the dependent variable of producing highly competitive products is statistically insignificant. Farmers who make a living only from olive agriculture are more likely to see the environmentally friendly option as the benefit of organic agriculture, while the situation is the opposite for those who are members of the olive oil union. Compared to farmers with 10 years or less of experience, those with 21-25 and 26 or more years of experience are more likely to see health as the benefit of organic farming.