The promotion of biofertilizer application on farms: Farmers’ intentional processes
Pouria Ataei, Hamid Karimi, Christian A. Klöckner, Seyed Reza Es’haghi, Raha Zarei
Abstract
The present research investigated factors that contribute to the farmer’s behavioral intention to use biofertilizers based on a comprehensive model of environmental behavior (CADM). This study was a retrospective design, quantitative, non-experimental, causal-relational, descriptive-correlational, and applied study. This research contributed the new behavioral theory to recognize farmers’ intention and it can be useful for policy makers in agriculture sector. From the total population of farmers in the Fars province, Iran, to whom biofertilizers had been introduced (N=2200), a sample of 327 farmers was selected by a stratified random sampling technique. The study was conducted by applying a questionnaire measuring the model variables in a face-to-face interview situation. The results of the model analyses show that the model receives a satisfactory model fit. Intentions to use biofertilizers are strongly determined by normative processes, situational influence, and attitudes. Habits are strongly related to personal norms and objective constraints, whereas the relation to subjective constraints is weaker. It can conclude that all four components proposed in the CADM have a significant direct or indirect relation to farmers’ intentions to use biofertilizers and should be addressed when promoting further use.