PROBLEMS OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT IN THE FARMERS’ OPINION

Abstract

The aim of the article was to determine the main problems of organic farming and to evaluate the support policy towards organic farming. The research distinguished three groups of organic farmers: committed, pragmatic, and pragmatic-involved, and then determined the differences and similarities of these groups concerning the identified problems and limitations in the development of organic farming and the assessment of support policy. In this study used qualitative survey methods conducted among 154 organic farms. The research results found that although farmers are interested in producing products using organic methods, they encounter significant difficulties: agrotechnical (related to weed infestation of agricultural fields), institutional, and market difficulties. The research has proven that the group of pragmatic farmers differs from the engaged and pragmatic-involved groups in terms of motives, as well as in the assessment of agricultural policy and the problems of developing organic farming. At the level of agricultural policy, there is a need to increase institutional and legal efficiency and establish a long-term strategy for developing organic agriculture. This study can be used to design a more effective policy for the growth of organic agriculture by public administration entities involved in its implementation.