Bridging the knowledge gap of apple growers: Transition from conventional to organic production pattern in Iran

Organic Agriculture (OA) is an ecological, economic and social system that has been in the spotlight to replace and reduce the adverse consequences of conventional agriculture (CA) and achieve sustainable agriculture. The future of OA depends heavily on the knowledge of producers. Accordingly, the current research is based on the Borich model and a survey method using a questionnaire, to examine the existing knowledge and needed by Damavand gardeners to produce organic apples. Thus, using Cochran's formula, a sample of 158 gardeners were selected and interviewed by simple random sampling method. The validity of the assessment tool was obtained through a panel of experts. Also, to evaluate the reliability of the designed items, a pilot study was conducted outside the main sample. The results showed that in the planting stage, most of the respondents had very poor and weak level of knowledge, in the growing stage and the harvest the less than needed average level of knowledge to produce organic apples. The study of gardeners' information-seeking behavior showed that they were initially more inclined to individual resources like other experienced and prominent gardeners, and then to agricultural experts and extension agents. The need to acquire knowledge for organic production increased with the increase in the age of gardeners. However, with increasing issues such as education level, use of information resources, cultivation level and work experience, the need to acquire knowledge decreases. Finally, based on the Borich model, priority educational issues were identified to bridge the knowledge gap in order to produce organic apples in the planting, growing and harvesting stages.