Exploring the distribution of organic farming: Findings from certified rice in Taiwan

There has been increased attention to organic agriculture's behavioral and spatial implications. However, research on the dynamics and diffusion of green knowledge among farmers after controlling large-scale certified fields and environmental variables in small peasant nations has yet to be thoroughly examined. This study presents empirical evidence to explore whether there is a spatial dependence on organic agriculture and identifies the critical elements for organic rice distribution in Taiwan. We utilized spatial analysis to assess and control the potential spatial correlations. There appears to be a neighborhood effect on certified areas per farm, indicating that the geographical spillover effect confers a natural advantage on organic cultivation. Additionally, our results showed that organic rice cultivation in Taiwan is likely to occur in agriculturally less-favored regions and water conservation zones, bolstering the idea that farmers in areas with less potential have lower opportunity costs and are more inclined to adopt organic farming. Sequential or simultaneous shocks to the natural productivity levels of farmland and improvements in inundation, strata subsidence, and landslides would benefit the certified area. The negative impact of the increase in the shortest distance from industrial zones raises possible concerns about conflict between industrial and agricultural sustainability for policy reference.