The importance of agricultural infrastructure to transformation to organic farming in Libya.

The importance of agricultural infrastructure to the development of organic farming in Libya is receiving considerable attention from policy makers in view of its potential in contributing to economic development. There is a vital role for agricultural infrastructure in promoting organic farming development in Libya. This would increase employment, enhance general economic development and stimulate growth in other sectors. Agricultural infrastructure already contributes to the general development of Libyan agriculture, and it may be vital to improving sustainability.Despite growing research interest in agriculture in Libya, there is still work to be done to bring the relationship of infrastructure and organic farming development into focus. In order to understand better the role that infrastructure plays in the development of agriculture and transformation to organic farming. This research draws on agricultural development theory to enhance understanding on the relationship between agricultural infrastructure and transformation to organic farming in Libya. Particular attention is paid to the historical development of agriculture in Libya and the role politics played in shaping agricultural development and resultant policy initiatives. The empirical focus of the research is on three main agricultural regions in Libya. This study argues that despite the fact that organic farming is in its embryonic stages in Libya, there is the potential to transform agricultural practices to facilitate organic farming if the constraints of availability and accessibility associated with current agricultural infrastructure especially at the regional and farm levels are given adequate attention with the involvement of all stakeholders including farmers. Interviews with ten agricultural experts provide a range of insights into the issues associated with infrastructure and agricultural development. A variety of issues and constraints which serve as barriers to agricultural development in Libya were identified from data collected from 277 farmers through questionnaires. The research highlights the importance of availability and accessibility of agricultural infrastructure to the transformation to organic farming in Libya. There is inadequate and inappropriate infrastructure especially at the farm level to promote the development of organicfarming practices. A variety of suggestions is presented on ways to improve the development of agriculture in Libya. This includes a suggestion for closer collaboration among all stakeholders in the agricultural sector so that the provision of agricultural infrastructure will be at the preferred areas to maximize their utilisation. This will require improved communication among all stakeholders in the planning and implementation of agricultural policies. The research highlights the importance of availability and accessibility of financial assistance to farmers as well as the provision of food processing plant. The research shows that there is potential to enhance organic farming development in Libya and has demonstrated the importance of agricultural infrastructure to this process.