Factors influencing farmers’ decision to convert to organic tea cultivation in the mountainous areas of northern Vietnam

Abstract

Using a logistic regression model, this study examines those factors affecting the decision made by farmers to convert from conventional to organic tea production activities in the mountainous areas of northern Vietnam. Data were collected from a household survey conducted among 181 organic and 195 conventional tea-producing households in the provinces of Thai Nguyen and Ha Giang. The results of this survey reveal that farm size, participation in training programs, access to credit, access to extension services, technology support, and market access had a positive impact on the adoption of organic farming methods. For the novice organic tea farmers living in this relatively undeveloped region, one with high poverty levels, economic motives played an important role in the decision to convert to organic practices. Although the tea farmers had a good awareness of the health and environmental benefits brought by organic farming practices, this had so far not led to conversion on a large scale. Therefore, in order to expand organic tea production activities in northern Vietnam, it will be necessary to improve tea farmers’ knowledge of organic farming, and also show them the potential economic benefits to be brought by organic farming over the longer term. Besides, the Vietnamese government should create the conditions and policy environment needed to promote the expansion of organic tea production activities.