Individual self-regulation, external monitoring, and farmers’ safe production behavior: Evidence from the Kuan-chung Plain, China

Abstract

Sustainable agricultural development requires comprehending the fundamental factors influencing farmers' adoption of safe production behavior. This study investigates intrinsic and extrinsic determinants, encompassing the influence of individual self-regulation and external monitoring, regarding the endorsement of safe labor practices among farmers in Kuan-Chung Plain, China. The findings underscore the pivotal role of personal self-regulation in stimulating farmers' implementation of safe production behavior. Additionally, governmental and public monitoring can act as catalysts, motivating farmers to shift from conventional agricultural production methods to safer alternatives. Moreover, the results revealed that a synergistic effect arises from the collaboration between public and governmental monitoring, combined with individual self-regulation. This collaborative approach significantly enhances farmers' propensity to embrace safe production behavior. Hence, policymakers should prioritize educating farmers on ethical restraint, optimizing policy strategies, and strengthening supervision practices to establish an effective platform for public monitoring. These measures will augment farmers' comprehension of the significance of safe production behavior and empower them to proactively implement these behaviors.