The Norwegian government aims to achieve an organically managed area of 10% by 2010, as well as a 15% organic share of the total food production and consumption in Norway by 2015. Organic farming has developed rapidly since the early 1990's. From 1991 to 2005, the area of organically certified or in-conversion farmland has increased from 2 443 to 43 033 ha, amounting to 3.5% of the total farmland. On the other hand, each year since 2002 approximately 200 organic certified organic farmers have chosen to le ave the scheme. We do not know if these have reverted to conventional production, ceased farming altogether, or still farm close to organic principles without certification. Several studies of why producers abandon organic production systems have been con ducted in other European countries. No research studies have yet been carried out in Norway to analyse this issue.
This project will examine the reasons for farmers for opting out of certified organic farming. Such knowledge will be essential to develop appropriate policies to achieve the official goals for organic production. The project will reveal and analyse which factors that prompt organic producers to abandon a certified organic production, and compare Norwegian results and external conditions wi th other European countries. Possible designs of public means and other instruments useful for reducing the reversion and achieve the official goals will be discussed.
The study will employ both quantitative and qualitative forms of analysis. First, a p ostal survey will be conducted among all farmers that have been opting out of organic production since 2003. The questionnaire will be statistically analysed. Further, we will organise and arrange personal, face-to-face interviews with a small sample of t he farmers as well as relevant stakeholders. The qualitative studies will offer additional insights and supplement the survey in order to better understand why producers quit organic farming.