Exploration of organic farmers’ information needs in Issyk-Kul Province: implications for adoption of organic farming in Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

Information is a key component of modern agriculture, and the agricultural extension system is the main driver of its dissemination. A better understanding of farmers’ information needs can contribute to the customization of agricultural extension approaches, thereby facilitating the uptake of sustainable forms of agriculture. Using data obtained from a survey conducted among organic crop farmers in Issyk-Kul Province in the Kyrgyz Republic, we analyzed organic farmers’ needs regarding agriculture-related information. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) identified four factors related to information needs: (1) networking, (2) farming expertise, (3) agrarian governance, and (4) market information. Next, we identified the relative importance of each factor. Farming expertise had the highest ranking, followed by market information, networking, and agrarian governance. All of the statements in the factor of farming expertise had mean values greater than 4, indicating their importance for the organic farmers and reflecting diverse knowledge requirements across various aspects of organic farming practices. The four-factor EFA model explained 67.76% of the variance. Correlations between the factors did not exceed 0.358, indicating that the factors were distinct.

The information needs expressed by the respondents suggest that more relevant and customized information regarding access to and the use of agricultural inputs, establishing farmers’ networks, and marketing should be disseminated. Permutational multiple analysis of variance and pairwise testing showed that location and educational background have a significant influence on the identified factors. To ensure the further promotion of organic principles, multiple stakeholders should undertake joint activities aimed at providing organic farmers with relevant and timely information. The findings contribute to understanding the factors shaping organic farmers’ information needs and advocate for demand-driven agricultural extension systems and robust networks among organic farmers to further promote organic farming in Kyrgyzstan.