INTERNAL FACTORS OF ORGANIC FARMING

A farmer's decision whether or not to undertake organic farming depends on various external and internal factors. In order to identify the most significant factors, which determine this decision, a survey of country's organic farmers has been carried out between December, 2007, and February, 2008. In the article (Skulskis, 2008) previously published in the journal, it has been concluded that the decision whether or not to continue with the principles of organic farming depends largely on changing external factors, especially direct support. A large number of studies on the motivation of the farmers have shown that internal factors are of notable importance. This study allows us to make the same conclusion. As the survey of country's organic farmers has shown, the majority of them chose organic farming in order to carry on family traditions and to engage in the life of local community. Moreover, the majority of the respondents have assigned great importance to factors such as the positive effect of organic farming on health, healthy food and safe work environment. On the other hand, when evaluating farming as economic activity, emphasis has been put on generating income and securing the satisfaction of needs.