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Takam Fongang GM, Leunga Noukwe I, Guay JF, Séguin C. What Determines the Adoption of Conservation Agriculture? Evidence from Quebec. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 74:775-789. [PMID: 39096363 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-024-02024-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Conservation agriculture (CA) is promoted by various organisations and scholars as alternative to conventional agriculture to meet growing food demand with minimal damage on environment; but its factors of adoption have not been well identified. The study uses the recent composite index of adoption of CA developed by Takam Fongang et al. (2023) to analyse the factors of adoption of conservation agriculture among maize and soybean farmers in Quebec. Using data from 93 maize and soybean producers and a Fractional logit model, the study shows that adoption of CA increases with farmer's favourable perceptions of yield and easiness of implementing CA, off-farm employment and higher education. The study therefore indicates that higher education, technical assistance and popularisation of performance of CA can play a significant role in boosting adoption of CA in Quebec.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Martial Takam Fongang
- Institut des Sciences de l'Environnement, Université du Québec à Montréal, Case postale 8888, succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada.
| | - Isambert Leunga Noukwe
- Département d'économique, École de gestion, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 Boulevard de l'université, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Jean-François Guay
- Institut des Sciences de l'Environnement, Université du Québec à Montréal, Case postale 8888, succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Charles Séguin
- Institut des Sciences de l'Environnement, Université du Québec à Montréal, Case postale 8888, succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada
- Département des sciences économiques, École des sciences de la gestion, Université du Québec à Montréal, Case postale 8888, succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada
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Block JB, Michels M, Mußhoff O, Hermann D. How to reduce the carbon footprint of the agricultural sector? Factors influencing farmers' decision to participate in carbon sequestration programs. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 359:121019. [PMID: 38701586 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon in agricultural soils through humus formation is a crucial component of sustainable agriculture. Humus programs that are designed to incentivize farmers to build more humus are still recent innovations, so current knowledge about farmers' motivation to participate is limited. This study examines the adoption of non-governmental humus programs to promote carbon sequestration by analyzing farmers' willingness to participate in humus programs and influential factors. We specifically investigate behavioral factors underlying farmers' adoption of humus programs using the Theory of Planned Behavior. To this end, we collected data using an online survey with 190 German farmers and applied partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results show that (i) perceived economic benefits, (ii) the actions of fellow farmers, and (iii) farmers' sense of responsibility with regard to climate change have a statistically significant influence on farmers' intention to participate in a humus program. In contrast, the perceived ecological benefits, political pressure, the possibility of establishing humus-building measures, and prior knowledge of humus programs have no statistically significant influence. Our findings suggest that farmers' decision to participate in humus programs is strongly influenced by the financial benefits, but the actions and thoughts of other farmers, as well as their own moral claims regarding climate change, also play a crucial role. We found that farmers lack knowledge about the registration and general functioning of humus programs, which can currently be one of the biggest barriers to participation in such initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia B Block
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Georg-August-University Goettingen, Platz der Goettinger Sieben 5, 37073, Goettingen, Germany.
| | - Marius Michels
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Georg-August-University Goettingen, Platz der Goettinger Sieben 5, 37073, Goettingen, Germany.
| | - Oliver Mußhoff
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Georg-August-University Goettingen, Platz der Goettinger Sieben 5, 37073, Goettingen, Germany.
| | - Daniel Hermann
- Institute for Food- and Resource Economics, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn, Nussallee 19, 53115, Bonn, Germany.
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Golding E, Al Ansari ASA, Sutton GA, Walshe N, Duggan V. Rate of obesity within a mixed-breed group of horses in Ireland and their owners' perceptions of body condition and useability of an equine body condition scoring scale. Ir Vet J 2023; 76:9. [PMID: 37024919 PMCID: PMC10077657 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-023-00237-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Equine obesity is a significant health and welfare concern. The proportion of domestic horse populations that are overweight are as high as 45%. As the primary decision-makers for their horses' care, owners are theoretically ideally placed to identify whether their horses are appropriately conditioned, however, research in other countries has shown that many owners are unable to accurately judge their horse's body condition. In this study, through the comparison of body condition scoring (BCS) performed by an expert and the horse owners and interviews with owners, we aimed to identify the proportion of horses that were overweight or obese, to assess the accuracy of horse owners' BCS assessment both prior to and after receiving information and instructions on body condition scoring, and to identify common themes amongst owners' views regarding BCS assessment and the Henneke BCS system. RESULTS Forty-five percent of the horses in this study were overweight or obese. The agreement between the owners and an equine veterinarian regarding the horses' BCS was fair to good both prior to (κ = .311, P < 0.001; ICC = .502, P < 0.001) and after (κ = .381, P < 0.001; ICC = .561, P < 0.001) receiving information and instructions on scoring. Three quarters of the owners who took part in the study did not use any method of monitoring their horse's body condition. Thematic analysis of owner responses was varied, with the most common theme being an awareness of the need to monitor or make changes to their horse's condition with responses in this theme split between owners who felt in control and those who did not. Owner feedback on the utility and useability of the scorning system was that it was useful however parts are too technical or need improvement. CONCLUSIONS Equine obesity is a significant problem in this population in Ireland. Horse owners' ability to accurately judge their horse's condition does not improve with provision of instructions on body condition scoring. These results combined with owners' feedback on the Henneke BCS system indicate that it is not a tool that can be reliably used by owners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Golding
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | | | - Gila A Sutton
- Large Animal Department, Robert H Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Nicola Walshe
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Vivienne Duggan
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Al Mamun A, Naznen F, Jingzu G, Yang Q. Predicting the intention and adoption of hydroponic farming among Chinese urbanites. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14420. [PMID: 36925515 PMCID: PMC10010998 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Urban agriculture has become increasingly popular as a viable solution to the global food insecurity, but the uncontrollable expansion of cities and populations has led to the significant decrease in cultivable space for conventional soil-based farming. Unlike conventional agriculture, soil-less hydroponic farming allows sustainable food production in urban areas without compromising the environment and public health. Using both theory of planned behaviour and knowledge-attitude-behaviour theory with four additional factors, the current study examined the intention and adoption of hydroponic farming among Chinese urbanites. An online survey, which involved 661 respondents from different cities in China, was conducted. The results of partial least squares structural equation modeling revealed the significant influence of tolerance of diversity, innovativeness, and knowledge about hydroponic system on attitude towards hydroponic system. Additionally, knowledge and attitude towards hydroponic system, perceived need for hydroponic farming, and hydroponic farming compatibility were found to significantly influence the intention of adopting hydroponic farming, which was also found to exhibit significant influence on its actual adoption. This study presented valuable insights that contribute to the development of a framework that promotes effective farming practices and strategies. The obtained findings can benefit marketers, practitioners, and policymakers in the agricultural and environmental fields, particularly in their efforts of planning, designing, marketing, and strategizing to promote modern agricultural practices and create a favourable environment for urban hydroponic farming in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Al Mamun
- UKM - Graduate School of Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Farzana Naznen
- UCSI Graduate Business School, UCSI University, Malaysia. Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Gao Jingzu
- UKM - Graduate School of Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Qing Yang
- UKM - Graduate School of Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Malaysia
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Liu K, Qi Z, Tan L, Hu C. How Neighbors Influence Rice-Crayfish Integrated System Adoption: Evidence from 980 Farmers in the Lower and Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4399. [PMID: 36901408 PMCID: PMC10001694 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Rice-aquatic animal integrated systems can alleviate food and environmental insecurity. Understanding how this practice is adopted by farmers is significant for promoting the development of the agricultural industry. Given the information inadequacy and information frictions in agricultural society in China, farmers are susceptible to the behaviors of their neighbors through social interaction. This paper defines neighboring groups that are both spatially and socially connected to identify whether neighbors influence farmers' adoption of rice-crayfish integrated systems using a sample in the lower and middle reaches of the Yangtze River in China. The findings reveal that for every one-unit increase in neighbors' adoption behavior, the probability of farmers' adoption increases by 0.367 units. Therefore, our results may have great value for policymakers seeking to take advantage of the neighborhood effect to complement formal extension systems and promote the developments of China's ecological agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Liu
- School of Management, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430048, China
| | - Zhenhong Qi
- College of Economics and Management, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Li Tan
- School of Management, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430048, China
| | - Canwei Hu
- School of Management, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430048, China
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