Understanding farmers’ intentions to adopt sustainable crop residue management practices: A structural equation modeling approach

Abstract

The adoption of sustainable residue management practices is considered as a cleaner production option for the agricultural sector. However, limited information is available from Pakistan on the current use and adoption of sustainable residue management practices and different socio-physiological factors are involved in the process of shaping farmers' intentions. Based on the protection motivation theory framework, this study analyzes the socio-physiological factors affecting the farmers' intentions on adopting sustainable crop residue management practices. The paper is based on cross-sectional data collected from 420 farmers across Punjab and employs a structural equation modeling to explore research objectives. The research findings show that farmers, who perceive high risk from crop residue burning or who are aware of its negative consequences, are more intended to adopt sustainable crop residue management practices. However, their adoption intentions do have significant relationship with the self-efficacy implying the lack of resources, time, knowledge, competency, and skills as constraints limiting the adoption of cleaner production strategies. Further, the research findings also confirm the positive and significant role of habits of farmers in shaping their intentions to use sustainable crop residue management practices. In addition to this, the paper found a positive and significant role in social interaction, sources of information and access to extension services in shaping farmers’ decision regarding sustainable residue management practices at the farm level. The research findings suggest enhancing awareness to highlight the negative impacts of crop residue burning and to train them regarding useful and sustainable crop residue management options that are not only cleaner production options but also generate economic benefits for farmers.