Microorganisms - ENVIS Centre

Doris Läpple, Hugh Kelley

School of Agriculture & Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Abstract

This article analyses spatial dependence in the adoption of organic farming. Bayesian spatial Durbin probit models are applied to survey data of almost 600 Irish drystock farmers. The findings reveal that farmers located in close proximity exhibit similar choice behaviour. In addition, results show the importance of farmer interactions in adoption decisions as social norms and attitudes were identified to have spatial spill-over effects. Overall, the study highlights the importance of accounting for interdependence in farmers' decisions, which emerges as important in the formulation of agricultural policy.

Keywords: spatial dependence; Bayesian spatial Durbin probit model; organic farming; adoption decision.

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Environment Information System Centre - microorganims,envis,environment management, microorganisms, microbes, pollution control, toxic chemicals, central and offshore ecology, environmentally sound and appropriate technology, bio-degradation of wastes.