Investigating the factors affecting the tendency to greenhouse organic cucumber production in Yazd, Iran

Increase in greenhouse production in Yazd province is along with increased fertilizer and pesticide use, so it is necessary to reduce the use of chemicals in greenhouse production. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the process of transition to organic agriculture in greenhouse cucumber producers in Yazd province. This study was a descriptive-survey research and data collection tools were questionnaires and face to face interviews with 144 producers of greenhouse cucumber. Data analysis was done using descriptive analysis, t-test and logit econometric model. Of the 144 greenhouse cucumber producers, 59 people have a positive trend to become organic farmers and 85 people showed no interest. The results showed that the low information of producers in the field of organic farming, lack of sufficient support of organic farming from government, high-risk of organic farming, the lack of specific market and the lack of knowledge and skills are the major obstacles to the production of organic products. Logit model results showed that there is a significant positive relationship between the level of production history, age, education, sanitation, positive attitude towards the environment and desire to have organic farming. Also, there is a significant negative correlation between the use of fertilizers and chemical pesticides and desire to have organic farming. Due to lack of information in the field of technical, management and sales of organic products, government support and control of the production in this area is essential.