Journal of Natural Environment

Factors affecting the use of environmentally friendly and safe behaviors among farmers in Bavi County

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Rural Development, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Mollasani, Iran.

2 Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Rural Development, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Mollasani, Iran.

10.22059/jne.2025.391170.2775

Abstract

The rapid growth of the global population has led to increased demand for food, necessitating the expansion of agricultural production. However, this expansion has resulted in adverse effects on soil and essential natural resources. Despite extensive scientific evidence demonstrating the socio-ecological benefits of environmentally friendly agricultural techniques, their implementation remains a major challenge for policymakers. Consequently, farmers continue to engage in practices that contribute to environmental degradation. This study aims to identify the factors influencing the adoption of environmentally sustainable and safe agricultural practices. The research focuses on farmers in Bavi County, Khuzestan Province. Using the Krejcie and Morgan table, the sample size was determined to be 390 participants, selected through a multi-stage sampling method with proportional allocation. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, whose face and content validity were confirmed by faculty members of the Agricultural Extension and Education Department at Khuzestan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Reliability was established through Cronbach’s alpha, while convergent validity was verified using the extracted mean variance index and model reliability through the composite reliability index. The findings indicate that attitude, perceived benefits, and perceived ease significantly influence farmers’ willingness to adopt environmentally sustainable behaviors. Moreover, the technology acceptance framework demonstrated high effectiveness, explaining 56.3% of farmers’ attitudes and 53.1% of their willingness to adopt sustainable practices. Overall, this study contributes to closing theoretical gaps while providing actionable insights for policymakers. By enhancing farmers’ awareness, simplifying access to sustainable solutions, and reinforcing incentives, stakeholders can work towards reducing environmental degradation and fostering more responsible agricultural practices.

Keywords

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Journal of Natural Environment
Volume 77, Issue 4
March 2025
Pages 687-699