Abstract
AbstractSoil organic matter (SOM) is an important resource base for arable farming. For policies on SOM to be effective, insight is needed on why and under which conditions farmers are willing to increase SOM content. This study used the theory of planned behaviour to analyse what prevents or encourages Dutch farmers to increase the SOM content of their fields. In an online survey, 435 arable farmers were asked questions to understand their attitude (perceived benefits), subjective norm (social pressure) and perceived behavioural control (anticipated impediments and obstacles) related to management of SOM. Farmers’ answers were related to their intention to increase SOM content, use of organic materials and perceived increase in SOM content. Our results showed that Dutch farmers are well aware of the possible benefits of SOM content for crop productivity. Farmers’ attitude, subjective norm and perceived decrease in SOM content were significantly related to their intention to increase SOM content. In our farm survey, this intention was very strong: 90% of the farmers stated a high or very high intention to increase the SOM content of their fields. A higher intention to increase SOM content was correlated with the use of organic materials as expressed as total and effective C (P = 0.003 and P = 0.002, respectively), but this did not lead to a perceived increase in SOM content. From a farmer's point of view, this indicates that increasing SOM content is to a large degree beyond their direct influence. The Dutch Manure and Fertiliser Act, costs of organic inputs and the need to cultivate profitable crops (such as potatoes or sugar beet) were indicated as important impeding factors for increasing SOM content.
Highlights
Soil organic matter (SOM) content affects many soil properties including soil structure, nutrient availability and soil health (Johnston et al, 2009)
Of the 4770 farmers who were sent an invitation, 542 farmers filled out the section of the survey that dealt with SOM management
501 were confirmed to be arable farmers, of which 10 were excluded from analysis because their farm size was smaller than 10 ha and 52 farmers were excluded because they either farmed peat soils or had an average SOM content above 12%
Summary
Soil organic matter (SOM) content affects many soil properties including soil structure, nutrient availability and soil health (Johnston et al, 2009). Increasing SOM content can be seen as a strategic means to safeguard longterm farm productivity. Farmers can use different practices to increase the SOM content of their fields. They can use more organic materials (such as animal manures or compost) instead of mineral fertilizers, include more cereals (rather than root crops) in. In the Netherlands, organic materials are widely available for arable farmers due to the large livestock sector and related production of animal manures. Since the 1980s, restrictions on the use of organic manure have been implemented (Schro€der & Neeteson, 2008), which has caused some concern for farmers’ abilities to maintain or increase SOM contents.
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