Behavior Of Farmers Research Articles

Response of Short Food Supply Chains in Western Balkan Countries to the COVID Crisis: A Case Study in the Honey Sector

Abstract Operation of short food supply chains (abbr. SFSCs) during the period of the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus provided a lesson which might be useful for perceiving the behaviour of farmers and local food systems in potential future crises caused by various endogenous or exogenous factors. A study based on a sample of 1081 beekeepers in Western Balkan countries shows how beekeepers involved in SFSCs perceived the influence of the pandemic on the growth of demand and sale of honey through these marketing channels. On the scale from 1 (no influence) to 7 (very strong influence), the average rating of 3.53 indicated a weak to moderate influence, which was fairly consistent across the countries of this region. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney test determined that large-scale beekeepers, those in mountainous areas, those adding value to honey and beekeepers producing other bee products apart from honey stated that the pandemic had a stronger influence on the growth of demand and sale of honey through SFSCs. At the same time, a higher rating of the pandemic’s influence on sales growth was accompanied by greater limitations of beekeepers regarding the availability of family labour for selling honey, as well as by greater needs for digital marketing knowledge and skills. Binary logistic regression showed that the increase in beekeepers’ age led to the decreased rating of the influence of the pandemic on the growth of demand and sale of honey through SFSCs. It also showed that the influence rating rose with the increase in production capacity, adding value to honey and beekeepers’ needs for digital marketing knowledge and skills. The obtained results provide valuable knowledge about the potential response of SFSCs and involved producers to future crises and disruptions. It is primarily intended for policy makers, but also to practitioners and scientific and expert communities. All of them should respond proactively on behalf of society and prepare themselves for future challenges.

Farmers' Behavior in the Application of Coffee Harvest and Post-Harvest Techniques According to Good Manufacturing Practice Quality Standards

Good manufacturing practice is a guideline for producing safe and quality food products. GMP is carried out from the plantation, starting from harvest and post-harvest techniques. Harvest and post-harvest handling is influenced by the farmer's behavior in carrying out his business. This research aims to determine the behavior of farmers in Cilimus District in implementing coffee harvesting and post-pane techniques in accordance with GMP standards. The research was conducted in Cilimus District, Kuningan Regency with the consideration that this area has superior coffee production. The research is planned to be carried out in January 2024. The research design used is descriptive quantitative with survey research techniques. The sample size in this study was 65 respondents. The data analysis technique was carried out descriptively with a Likert score weighting of 1-5. The research results show that farmer behavior in harvesting techniques consists of knowledge with a percentage of 56.31%, attitude with a percentage of 52.00% and farmer skills with a percentage of 49.78%. Each aspect indicates quite good condition. Farmers' behavior in post-harvest handling consists of knowledge of 64.09% in the good category, but attitude of 55.87% and skills of 50.86% in the quite good category

Value chain extension services for climate-smart agriculture adoption: evidence from Burkina Faso's cotton farming

PurposeThis study assesses the extent to which integrated extension services contribute to the adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) innovations within the cotton value chain in Burkina Faso.Design/methodology/approachTo address the research question, a probit multivariate econometric model with sample selection is utilized. The model is applied to a random sample of farmers (n = 510), and the endogeneity is addressed through a control function approach.FindingsThe study highlights the central role of value chains, particularly in the cotton sector, in overcoming resource scarcity through integrated extension services. Findings show that smallholder farmers who benefit from sound extension services are more willing to adopt and diversify CSA technologies. These include improved seeds, conservation techniques, adapted planting dates and mechanization. This study confirms the synergistic nature of these technologies and emphasizes that effective climate risk mitigation depends on the combined adoption of CSA technologies.Research limitations/implicationsThe use of cross-sectional data limits the analysis of long-term farmer behavior, and due to data limitations, the focus was primarily on the contributions of cotton companies and farmers to climate risk mitigation. Future research using panel data across the value chain could provide a more robust insights for policy decision-making.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by emphasizing the crucial role of integrated extension services within the cotton value chain in developing countries. This highlights the critical benefits for farmers and emphasizes the need to diversify modern technologies to effectively combat climate change and its variability in agriculture.

How do we motivate farmers to adopt low-carbon production? Analysis of extrinsic incentives’ internalization

Agriculture, especially crop production, is expected to assume more carbon reduction and sequestration responsibility. Worldwide, various extrinsic incentives are provided to stimulate farmers to adopt low-carbon crop production. However, how these extrinsic incentives transform to influence farmers' intrinsic decision-making has yet to be scientifically clarified. This study draws on Self-Determination Theory and Planned Behavior Theory to establish a theoretical framework underlining farmers' internalization and behavioral responses to extrinsic incentives for low-carbon production. Specifically, extrinsic motivators include mandatory regulation (functioning as external regulation), non-mandatory stimulation (as introjected regulation), organizational participation (as identified regulation), market opportunity (as integrated regulation), and knowledge capability (as the intrinsic motivator). These extrinsic and intrinsic motivators are prominent antecedents of farmers' low-carbon-production attitudes, subjective norms, and perceptions of behavioral control. Attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavior control mutually and positively influence farmers' intentions and behaviors regarding low-carbon crop production. Researchers surveyed 860 rice growers in China and analyzed the data using a Structural Equation Model. Results confirm the theoretical model and further elucidate the multiple motivators' effect heterogeneity. Specifically, knowledge capability (the intrinsic motivator) has the greatest impact on the farmers' low-carbon production, followed by non-mandatory stimulation (introjected regulation) and then by market opportunity (integrated regulation), with governments' mandatory regulation (external regulation) has the least and organizational participation (identified regulation) has no significant impact on farmers' low-carbon production. This study offers a new theoretical perspective focusing on the internalization of extrinsic motivators for influencing farmers' sequential responses (including their attitudes, intentions, and behaviors) regarding low-carbon production. Guidelines for designing incentives for farmers’ low-carbon production are provided accordingly.

Understanding barriers to reducing antimicrobials on Australian dairy farms: A qualitative analysis.

Reducing antibiotic use in production animal systems is one strategy which may help to limit the development of antimicrobial resistance. To reduce antimicrobial use in food-producing animals, it is important to first understand how antibiotics are used on farm and what barriers exist to decreasing their use. In dairy production systems, mastitis is one of the most common reasons for administering antimicrobials. Therefore, it is important to understand the motivations and behaviours of dairy farmers in relation to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mastitis. In this study, we interviewed a sample of dairy farmers and dairy industry professionals from the major dairying regions of eastern Australia regarding their current practices used to diagnose, treat, and control subclinical and clinical mastitis. Inductive thematic analysis was used to code interview transcripts and identify the recurrent themes. Four overarching themes were identified: (1) the challenges associated with the detection and diagnosis of clinical mastitis, including with laboratory culture, (2) the motivations behind treatment decisions for different cases, (3) decisions around dry cow therapy and the role of herd recording, and (4) concerns regarding the development of antimicrobial resistance. This study identifies several challenges which may limit the ability of Australian dairy farmers to reduce antimicrobial use on farm, such as the need for rapid and reliable diagnostic tests capable of identifying the pathogenic causes of mastitis and the difficulties associated with conducting herd recording for the implementation of selective dry cow therapy. Industry professionals were concerned that farmers were not using individual cow records to aid in treatment decisions, which could result in unnecessary antimicrobial use. The results of this study can act as the basis for future research aimed at assessing these issues across the broader Australian dairy industry.

The Effectiveness of Agricultural Extension Communication on Coconut Farmers Behavior Change in Farm Management in Enok District, Indragiri Hilir, Riau

This research evaluated the effectiveness of agricultural extension communication in influencing the behaviour change of coconut farmers in farm management in the Enok District, Indragiri Hilir, Riau. The research employed a quantitative method, utilizing a questionnaire as the primary instrument, with a sample size of 100 coconut farmers in the Enok District. The results indicate that farmers' interactivity during extension sessions is influenced by the relevance of the material to their needs. The communication media, information sources, and messages the extension officers convey significantly impact communication effectiveness. Overall, the effectiveness of agricultural extension communication in the Enok District is positive, with most farmers providing positive feedback on the team's abilities, message relevance, and media used. Hypothesis testing results reveal a significant improvement in the effectiveness of agricultural extension officers after the intervention, reflecting their ability to present relevant material that motivates farmers' behaviour change. These findings provide a basis for recommending a more active and strategic role for agricultural extension officers in designing and delivering extension programs. The success of these programs is also reflected in the tangible actions adopted by farmers, such as implementing better farming techniques and adopting more sustainable farm management practices. This research provides in-depth insights into the factors influencing the effectiveness of agricultural extension communication and contributes to the research literature in this field.

Factors influencing seed cotton marketing decisions by smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe

Economic reforms such as the liberalization of export and processing-linked marketing channels have encouraged farmers to produce more. Unfortunately, cotton production in Zimbabwe has been declining regardless of such interventions. Why is the production declining despite these interventions including the government-free inputs and supported extension services? Cotton marketing is one of the main factors that influence overall quantities of a commodity to be produced but the practices and behavior of farmers are relatively unknown and unpredictable in the cotton markets. Therefore, this study was to explore factors influencing smallholder farmers' cotton marketing decisions in three cotton-producing provinces of Zimbabwe. A representative sample of 1080 cotton farmers were randomly selected from these provinces and a double hurdle model was used to evaluate market participation and intensity guided by probit model and censored tobit model respectively. Results showed that the decision to participate in cotton marketing was exclusively influenced by experience in cotton production while the intensity of cotton marketing was exclusively influenced by household labour and access to information. Market prices did not significantly (P<0.05) influence both the participation and intensity of cotton markets. The source of inputs and affiliation to marketing associations influence both marketing decisions. It is recommended that the government of Zimbabwe should revise the existing cotton marketing policies to encourage many buyers into cotton markets. The establishment of cotton marketing hubs can increase cotton marketing participation and intensity through increased access to decentralised marketing options.

Socio-economic profile of entrepreneurial behaviour of dairy farmers in eastern plain zone of Uttar Pradesh

Socio-economic profile of entrepreneurial behaviour of dairy farmers in eastern plain zone of Uttar Pradesh

A Review on Social Interaction Effects of Farmers’ Water-saving Production Behavior in Grain

This paper systematically combs through the relevant literature on the social interaction effects of water-saving production behavior of grain farmers, and puts forward the shortcomings. The existing related literature mainly includes research on social interaction and its evaluation system, research on the driving factors of water-saving production, research on the effects of water-saving production, and research on the enhancement path of water-saving production. The shortcomings of the existing studies mainly include the insufficient research on the influence of social interaction of water-saving production behavior of grain, the social interaction path of the spillover effects of water-saving production of grain has to be tested, and the research on the incentive mechanism of water-saving production of grain has to be improved.

Monitoring Behaviour Change of Farmers to Support Ecologically Friendly Agricultural Management Program in Peatland Ecosystems

Conserving peatland areas requires the commitment and the capacities of all stakeholders, including farmers living within the areas. Two business models, agro-silvo-fishery and Trigona apiculture, have been established in a demonstration plot in the peatland ecosystem of Baru Village, Banyuasin, South Sumatra, as new options for farmers to improve livelihoods while also managing peatland sustainably. Trainings on sustainable production, post-harvest, and markets were provided to the rice-based farmers to help them manage new livelihood options. Monitoring the behavioural transformation of farmers engaged in the two business model pilots is a crucial aspect of the program. This is accomplished using the ADKAR approach, which posits that attaining long-term behavioural change involves progressing through stages of Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and Reinforcement. A survey instrument was created to monitor farmers behaviour changes in (i) collective action, and (ii) managing agroecosystems sustainably, reflecting collaborative effort required to conserve peatland. Prior to the intervention program, a baseline survey (n=43) was conducted to record farmers’ current knowledge. The findings revealed that most farmers (60%) never joined a group but motivated to actively participate, whereas 25% of farmers had actively participated in groups and were eager to urge other farmers to join. Most farmers (52%) acknowledge the significance of safeguarding peatland areas but lack the knowledge to do so, whereas 25% have implemented ecologically friendly agricultural management in peatland areas. When the program began, none of the farmers were involved in agro-silvo-fishery or Trigona apiculture. According to a mid-program assessment aimed at recording the performance of the business models, 3 farmers have adopted apiculture with a total of 101 beehives. While none of the farmers adopt agro-silvo-fishery individually, 5 farmers produced organic fertilizer individually using the training program’s new competence. However, producing organic fertilizer as collective action was halted, suggesting farmers partiality to work individually rather than collectively. A final survey to assess behavioural changes is planned towards the end of the program next year. The ADKAR approach for monitoring farmers’ behavior change is useful for evaluating the performance of intervention programs and seek solutions to ensure it is aligned with the landscape level NRM goals.

A Systematic Literature Review to Develop a Conceptual Model to Assess Farmers' Sustainable Agriculture Potential for Organic Use in Rice Cultivation in Sri Lanka

The researcher found a timely need to assess Sri Lankan Rice Farmers' Sustainable Agriculture (SA) potential, their readiness to adopt more organic-centric farming, and the institutional help they receive for such adoption. Since no straightforward assessment method has been found in the literature, this paper describes how the researcher developed a conceptual framework and suggests indicators to explain the constructs for such an assessment. The conceptual model and indicators are drawn through a systematic literature review. The systematic literature review helped to find a set of credible and relevant articles for the study and provided a structured way of extracting usable findings for this study. Resilience theory (RT) properties are the foundation selected to develop the conceptual framework combined with the Rural Livelihood Assessment Framework (RLAF). The previous research findings of SA studies show that capital assets described in RLAF, Human, Social, Financial, Physical, and Natural, would adequately explain farmers' SA potentials. The suggestions from RT on ecosystem resilience can describe the farmer's predictive behaviours in this transitioning ecosystem. The researcher believes this conceptual combination is adequate to explore the unknowns mentioned in the study's objective. Also, the literature provides insights to develop an indicator framework which will guide the development of a research instrument explaining the latent constructs of the model in future research.

Driving factors of farmers' green agricultural production behaviors in the multi-ethnic region in China based on NAM-TPB models

Agricultural non-point source pollution (ANPSP) has caused serious harm to farmland ecological environment, and has become an urgent environmental issue in China. This paper investigates the intention and actual implementation of farmers' green agricultural production behaviors (GAPBs) in Yunnan, China. The results show that 80% of farmers are willing to implement GAPBs for improving agricultural environment, but a large number of them have not implemented at present. In addition, this study integrates normative activation theory with theory of planned behavior to empirically analyze the driving factors of farmers' intention and behaviors. The results show that the direct positive impact of personal norms on behaviors is significant. Awareness of consequences and awareness of responsibility have indirect impacts on GAPBs through personal norms. Meanwhile, attitude has a significant impact on behavioral intention. Awareness of consequences, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms have indirect effects on behavioral intention through attitude. Besides, there are significant differences in the farmers' GAPBs and the influencing factors between the Han and the ethnic minorities. This paper is helpful to increase farmers' GAPBs and provides reference for the management of ANPSP.

Indonesian Farmers’ Subjective Well-being: Determinants and Effect on Discounting Behaviour

The challenges prevalent in agriculture substantially impact the well-being of farmers compared to that of many other occupations. The national average rating of well-being may not provide a true representation of farmers. This article empirically examines the determinants and the effect of subjective well-being (SWB) on discounting the behaviour of farmers by estimating data from the 2014/2015 Indonesian family life survey. The results show that 72% are among the poorest three on a six-step hypothetical economic ladder. Few farmers (38%) are very satisfied with life as a whole. Having a higher level of education and income increases the chance of a higher SWB. Also, SWB decreases with an increasing level of poor health, feeling unsafe, job dissatisfaction and being older. The results examining the effect of SWB on discounting behaviour suggest that unlike the affective component (positive affect) of SWB, the cognitive component (life satisfaction) does not have a statistically significant effect on discounting behaviour.

Exploring farmer and advisor lameness management behaviors using the COM-B model of behavior change.

This paper applies the COM-B framework to farmer and farm advisor understandings and responses to lameness in sheep, beef, and dairy systems. It reflects on how farmers' and advisors' capability, opportunity, and motivation (COM-B) influence lameness management practices in these farming systems, and considers the interaction between these three factors, and stakeholders' behavior. Interviews with 29 farmers and 21 farm advisors in the north of England were conducted. Thematic analysis was undertaken with results categorized in relation to the COM-B framework focusing on barriers and enablers of lameness management. Use of the COM-B model provides a useful means of understanding the underlying behavioral mechanisms that contribute toward the persistence of lameness. This includes the complexities and interactions which hamper implementation of lameness management best practice. The findings highlight three key areas to address with interventions to improve lameness management on farm: (1) removing physical and social barriers for lameness management; (2) improving psychological capability and motivation for lameness management; and (3) facilitating relationships and developing communication between farmers and advisors. In particular, the value of exploring both farmer and advisor perspectives on behavior in the animal health context is demonstrated. Future interventions should look to target these three areas to overcome barriers and focus on factors that enable positive lameness practices to occur.

Proposal of a Model of Irrigation Operations Management for Exploring the Factors That Can Affect the Adoption of Precision Agriculture in the Context of Agriculture 4.0

Agriculture is undergoing a profound change related to Agriculture 4.0 development and Precision Agriculture adoption, which is occurring at a slower pace than expected despite the abundant literature on the factors explaining this adoption. This work explores the factors related to agricultural Operations Management, farmer behavior, and the farmer mental model, topics little explored in the literature, by applying the Theory of Planned Behavior. Considering the exploratory nature of this work, an exploratory multi-method is applied, consisting of expert interviews, case studies, and modeling. This study’s contributions are a list of factors that can affect this adoption, which complements previous studies, theoretical propositions on the relationships between these factors and this adoption, and a model of irrigation Operations Management built based on these factors and these propositions. This model provides a theoretical framework to study the identified factors, the relationships between them, the theoretical propositions, and the adoption of Precision Agriculture. Furthermore, the results of case studies allow us to explore the relationships between adoption, educational level, and training. The identified factors and the model contribute to broadening the understanding of Precision Agriculture adoption, adding Operations Management and the farmer mental model to previous studies. A future research agenda is formulated to direct future studies.

A Meta-analysis on Diversified Challenges Faced by Small and Marginal Farmers in Adopting Agricultural Technology

Each year innovation takes place in Agricultural and allied sector and adoption of this agricultural technologies is essential for enhancing the agricultural output and productivity. For the successful transfer of agricultural innovations Government of India has implemented number of schemes to support farmers in adopting the technology for production. However, various literature have shown that small and marginal farmers, being largest population among the farming community in India, still lag in adopting agricultural technologies successfully. Therefore this study was taken with the aim to analyse the diversified challenges faced in adopting agricultural technologies. Meta-analysis was used to identify the elements that play a key part in adoption behaviour of small and marginal farmers. The study observed such major factors viz., Psychological based, Economic based, Resource based, Tech-Bridge based, Tech-outreach based, Diversity based and Ambivalence based that hampered decision making behaviour in adopting agricultural technologies among small and marginal farmers.

Neighborhood Does Matter: Farmers’ Local Social Interactions and Land Rental Behaviors in China

The transfer of farmland is an important area of rural development research; however, the impact of rural social networks has been neglected in studies. The aim of this study is to explore the effects, mechanisms, and heterogeneity of neighbors’ behavior on the process of land renting by farmers. Based on the data of the China Family Panel Studies in 2018, this research empirically analyzes the impact of community-level, local social interactions on the land rental behavior of farmers and its mechanisms using a spatial probit model. The results of this study indicate that neighbors’ land rental behavior positively and significantly affects that of other farmers in the same village. In addition, neighbors’ land rental encourages other farmers in the same village to follow suit through an increase in the perceived importance of the Internet among the farmers. In addition, there is heterogeneity in neighborhood influence. Notably, the impact of social networks on the renting out of the land by farmers, as evidenced in this study, is a key factor in accelerating the circulation of rural land and promoting rural development, thus contributing to the process of rural revitalization and its recording in the literature.

Semantic Web-Based Structural Equation Modeling and Mediating Effects Are Used to Investigate Key Factors

Land desertification is the key contradiction restricting the sustainable development of Chinese society. Farmers and herders' behavior in desert management is particularly important for the smooth development of the desertification control project. Although farmers and herders express willingness, they do not engage in desert management behavior. The research through random sampling survey analyzes survey data from 572 farmers and herders in the Kubuqi Desert region of Inner Mongolia using structural equation modeling and mediation analysis, based on the TPB. The aim is to understand the paradoxical willingness and behavior of farmers and herders to participate in desert management. The study found that farmers and herders' willingness to participate is a crucial factor that influences their behavior. The authors suggest cultivating a sense of ecological responsibility and strengthening ecological education to guide the behavior of farmers and herders towards more sustainable practices.

Analysis of low-carbon rice farming behavior and its influencing factors in farmers under the distributed cognition perspective—empirical study based on 2,173 farmers in Jiangxi Province

IntroductionRice production is the core component of the food security strategy in China, but it is also a major source of methane and nitrous oxide. Promoting low-carbon rice farming (LCRF) to increase the carbon sink, decrease carbon emissions, and achieve low-carbon, high-yield production is an inevitable “win-win” choice for achieving “double carbon” targets and guaranteeing national food security. This study contributes to the advancement of research on farmers’ adoption decisions and fills gaps in LCRF’s technical research on farmers’ decision-making behavior. The results also provide a basis for formulating policies to encourage LCRF and protect cultivated land.MethodsThis study conducted field research on 2,173 farming households in Jiangxi Province, a traditional agricultural province in China, and examined the effects of personal forces, local forces, and cultural forces on LCRF adoption behavior by introducing the distributed cognition theoretical framework based on a status quo analysis and employing the multivariate ordinal logistic model.Results and discussionThe results of the study showed that: 1) the overall acceptance of LCRF behavior is currently not very high. In the 2173 questionnaires, the mean number of LCRF behavior items accepted by farmers was 3.10 items; 153 farmers did not adopt any LCRF behavior, and only 77 farmers adopted all LCRF behaviors. Most farmers (n = 535) adopted three LCRF behaviors. 2) In distributed cognition affecting LCRF behavior, acceptance was primarily affected by cultural forces, followed by local forces, while the effects of personal forces were limited. Therefore, it is recommended that training and promotion should be increased, policy subsidies should be increased, the land market should be improved, and LCRF demonstrations should be carried out to increase the acceptance of LCRF behavior among rice farmers.

PERILAKU PETANI DALAM BUDIDAYA PISANG LILIT (Musa paradisiaca) DI KECAMATAN SECANGGANG, KABUPATEN LANGKAT, SUMATERA UTARA

The purpose of this study was to determine the level and factors that influence of farmer behavior in cultivating of Lilit bananas in Secanggang District, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra. This study was carried out in Secanggang District, Langkat Regency from April to June 2023. The quantitative method used to collect data was observation, documentation and questionnaires which had been tested for validity and reliability, while the data analysis method used a Likert scale and regression double linear. The number of respondents in this study was 63 people. influencing behavior/1 farmer, the following equation is obtained. Y= -28.775 + 1.069X1 + 0.632X2 + 0.201X3 + 1.606X4 - 0.041X5. Factors that influence behavior that have a very significant impact on farmer behavior are farmer characteristics, price stability, and motivation. While the factors/1 that did not have a significant effect were the implementation of counseling and/1 land ownership.