Implications of organic farming in development: experiences from organic rice farms in Northeastern Thailand

The paper contains the ethical concepts of organic agriculture as well as arguments on organic farming and organic trade. Furthermore, the notions of value chain and livelihood strategies of small farmers are included in an analysis of implications of organic farming on rice growers. It is found that organic agriculture has limited economic implications on rice farming due to the risk in conversion period, labor intensity and limitations of small farmers. Since rice growing is mainly for household consumption and subsistence, organic rice growing which is mostly for sell tends not to be an attractive livelihood strategy for most small rice farmers. Social factors are the main driver behind the success of organic farmers who have positive attitudes to alternative agriculture before adopting organic methods. The role of farmers in the organic rice chain is different from the conventional chain, and the relationships within organic chain are characterized mainly by ethical trade networks and certification organizations. The higher market price of organic rice leads to questions about fairness to consumers and the influence of traders in markets which may result in constraints on domestic organic growth. In this sense, the organic movement in rural development will be limited in the long term, and it implies that the worthy idea of organic agriculture in rural development is flawed in practice.