Not all of the perception variables could be included in the
analysis because of collinearity issues: e.g., farmers who
anticipated some cost reduction potential before adopting QGAP
were also anticipating better access for their certified
products. Among the different perceptions that were elicited
during the interviews, we retained only those anticipations
that the farmers had about the cost reduction potential of QGAP.
We find a strong (25% probability increase) and significant
relationship, meaning the farmers who adopted were really
convinced that adopting Q-GAP would reduce their expenditures.
This result is also compatible with the way Rice Q-GAP
was presented to farmers as a potential way to differentiate
themselves in the rice market (Q-GAP labelling targeted to
consumerswanting to consume safe and sustainable rice) and a
way to use less chemical inputs (fertilisers and pesticides). The
cost of production, especially fertiliser and pesticide costs, is an
important aspect of rice production decisions, and cost
reduction has most likely been one of the arguments put
forward by extension workers for fostering adoption. A survey
of Q-GAP adopters conducted in the Sri Saket Province (Northeast
Thailand) showed that participating farmers had lower
external input costs than did those who did not participate,
which reemphasises the potential reduction of costs from
participating in Q-GAP practices (Srisaket Agriculture Office,
2007).