Factors Influencing Farmers’ Willingness and Behaviors in Organic Agriculture Development: An Empirical Analysis Based on Survey Data of Farmers in Anhui Province

Abstract

Organic agriculture is currently the dominant method used for the sustainable development of modern agriculture. As the main component in agricultural production, farmers and their willingness and behaviors are important to the overall progress of the organic agriculture industry. Based on survey data from 306 farmers in the Anhui Province, we applied a bivariate probit model to analyze the relevant factors influencing farmers’ willingness and behaviors in organic agriculture. The findings showed that a correlation existed between farmers’ willingness to engage in organic agriculture and their behaviors. Factors such as farmer education level, political status, family disposable income, and their understanding of organic agriculture and environmental hazards considerably influenced the farmers’ willingness to engage in organic agriculture. The variables of age, no-agricultural employment, and other factors played a substantial inhibitory role. This conclusion has certain value for further understanding of farmers’ willingness to be engaged in organic agriculture and their behaviors and so contributed to the structural reform of the agricultural supply side and the implementation of the “Rural Revitalization” strategy.