ANALYSIS AND PROMOTION MEASURES OF MOTIVATION FACTORS FOR THE CHOICE OF ORGANIC FARMING

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to analyze the motivation of organic farmers which promotes or reduces the willingness of farmers to farm organically. Increasing motivation can lead to a larger number of farms and larger areas under organic farming in the future, which is crucial for the depletion of soil for future generations. Researchers from different countries delve deeply into different motivating factors but the most often examined are the pursuit of financial gain, personal beliefs, environmental protection and sustainability. During the semi-structured interview with 10 organic farmers from all over Lithuania, based on the motivational factors of the RESET mindset model, it was found that farmers in Lithuania are most motivated to farm organically by financial support. But the study participants stated that subsidies and farm area payments are too low and the regulations of organic farming are too strict and change too often and this reduces the motivation to start or continue an organic farm. In the presence of many different factors that promote and reduce motivation of organic farmers, the focus in Lithuania should be on increasing payments and subsidies for organic farms and on involving as many farmers as possible in discussions on planned changes to the law.