Authors: Niklas Möhring, Adrian Müller, Sergei Schaub

Policy goals for increasing the share of organic farming have been established around the world. However, these goals have not been reached so far, and adoption rates differ largely across countries and crops worldwide. Therefore, a key question is which measures food value chain actors and policymakers could take to scale organic farming? Science can provide valuable support for evidence-based decision-making of stakeholders on this question and ample knowledge is available from a variety of case studies, however, no systematic overview of these scientific findings has been available so far

In a recent study published in the European Review of Agricultural Economics (Möhring et al., 2024), we systematically review global evidence on measures for scaling organic farming.

Previous research on the adoption of innovations in agriculture has shown that the adoption context and stage are decisive factors in farmers’ decisions and choosing suitable policy actions to support adoption (Wigboldus et al., 2016). We, therefore, specifically address the heterogeneity of global agricultural systems and analyze which measures work in which context. Finally, we identify geographic and methodological gaps in the current literature and propose directions for future research.

In our review, we focused on quantitative studies on the adoption of certified organic agriculture, in order to have a common reference framework for comparison. We screened peer-reviewed studies that were published from 2000-2021 using four databases: Scopus, Web of Science, CAB direct and Google scholar. From an initial number of 18,129 references, we identified 120 relevant studies, for which we extracted information on the study setting, quality, type of journal and field. For each study we then extracted recommended policy measures and verified that recommendations aligned with research questions and empirical results. In total we identified 182 policy recommendations for scaling organic agriculture.

Mapping global policy recommendations

We categorized the 182 recommendations into: “Awareness & Knowledge” (77 recommendations identified), “Public Policy” (60), “Co-operation” (8), “Infrastructure & Transaction” (11), and “Supply Chains & Markets” (26) and aligned them with the different stages of the farmers adoption process (Fig.1). We further provide a complete and detailed overview of the types of recommended policy measures for targeting different adoption stages and the respective references. This can be a valuable resource for stakeholders looking for evidence on recommended policy measures in different contexts.

Fig.1 Overview of identified policy measures for scaling organic agriculture.

Key results from mapping the recommendations are that effective policies for scaling organic farming should be differentiated over space (adjusting to environmental conditions), farmers (farm and farmer characteristics) and time (adjusting to adoption stages). Moreover, smart mixes of policies, such as subsidies, information measures extension or the support of farmer co-operatives, together with the abolishment and re-alignment of (dis-) incentives can be key in scaling organic agriculture.

How to adjust policy measures to the production context?

After categorizing and mapping the recommendations, we matched the recommendations with spatially explicit data, including the type of production system, the maturity of the organic sector and other key environmental, socio-economic and institutional characteristics and analyzed if context matters for choosing policy measures.

We found that in settings with a low share of organic production awareness and knowledge raising measures are recommended, while in mature organic settings public policy measures such as subsidies or abolishment of existing economic disincentives are recommended. In production systems with a higher productivity, measures to support farmer-to-farmer cooperation should be introduced, while for a lower productivity awareness raising and infrastructural measures are recommended.

Research gaps and implications for future research

Furthermore, we identified important research gaps. Research coverage is scarce for important exporting countries (Canada, South America, Oceania) and regions with a low adoption of organic farming (Africa, central Asia, Eastern Europe) (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2. Geographic distribution of adoption studies vs. share of organic farming

To give better support to decision-makers on suitable policy measures, research has to close important geographic gaps, especially for exporting regions and regions with low organic production.

Moreover, changes over time, i.e., the diffusion process of organic farming, are not sufficiently explored and there is a clear lack of studies using causal approaches or focusing on specific mechanisms of the adoption process in-depth. Research projects that analyze causal relation and detailed mechanisms are required to improve our understanding of the adoption process. Such studies must be financed, feasible and rewarded. This requires adapted research incentives, for example, from funding bodies.

Finally, most studies on farmer adoption do not consider demand-side effects, although they can be an important driver for farmer adoption. Future research should close the gap between supply- and demand side studies, which is key for explaining adoption decisions and mid- to long-term dynamics in adoption.

Policy implications

Our systematic review provides a broad and detailed overview of evidence-based recommendations for scaling organic farming worldwide. Important conclusions for policymakers are that measures should be adapted to local contexts and over time, i.e., different socio-economic and environmental conditions and adoption stages. Further, the scope of the currently rather narrow set of policy measures should be broadened towards smart mixes of policies, including tailored combinations of extension and information- and market-based measures, as well as the abolishment of disincentives.

Niklas Möhring is at the University of Bonn, Germany; Adrian Müller at the research institute for organic agriculture, Switzerland; and Sergei Schaub at Agroscope, Switzerland.

References

Möhring, N., Muller, A., & Schaub, S. (2024). Farmers’ adoption of organic agriculture—a systematic global literature review. European Review of Agricultural Economics, jbae025. https://doi.org/10.1093/erae/jbae025

Wigboldus, S., Klerkx, L., Leeuwis, C., Schut, M., Muilerman, S., & Jochemsen, H. (2016). Systemic perspectives on scaling agricultural innovations. A review. Agronomy for sustainable development, 36, 1-20.