TY - JOUR
T1 - Unveiling sustainable agriculture dynamics
T2 - a socio-psychological exploration among smallholder farmers in Sikkim, India
AU - Bhujel, Roshan Raj
AU - Joshi, H. G.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - In response to global calls for environmentally sustainable and socially equitable agriculture, this study examines the socio-psychological factors influencing smallholder farmers in Sikkim, India, to adopt sustainable agricultural practices (SAP). Traditional agricultural methods prioritize productivity over ecological sustainability. SAP addresses this challenge holistically by considering environmental, social, and economic factors. The factors that influence smallholder farmers’ SAP adoption, especially in unique regional contexts, are poorly understood. This study uses the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and social norms theory to examine SAP adoption’s socio-psychological aspects. Sikkim’s sociocultural and agroecological characteristics are studied. Findings show that attitudes (ATs), social norms and perceived behavioral control (PBC) shape SAP adoption intentions (INs), with gender-specific dynamics, age-related nuances and complex socioeconomic factors. This study answers the comprehensive question: ‘What socio-psychological factors influence smallholder farmers in Sikkim, India, to adopt Sustainable Agricultural Practices?’ using quantitative surveys and PLS-SEM analysis of 407 smallholder farmers. In broader conclusion, the study suggests local governments, NGOs, development practitioners, researchers and stakeholders tailor sustainability interventions. This socio-psychological study addresses critical SAP adoption gaps by shifting from behavioral analyses. The main takeaway is that interventions must consider smallholder farmers’ diverse motivations and contextual factors when adopting SAPs. This study advances regional literature and sustainable agriculture discourse, promoting a socially equitable agricultural future.
AB - In response to global calls for environmentally sustainable and socially equitable agriculture, this study examines the socio-psychological factors influencing smallholder farmers in Sikkim, India, to adopt sustainable agricultural practices (SAP). Traditional agricultural methods prioritize productivity over ecological sustainability. SAP addresses this challenge holistically by considering environmental, social, and economic factors. The factors that influence smallholder farmers’ SAP adoption, especially in unique regional contexts, are poorly understood. This study uses the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and social norms theory to examine SAP adoption’s socio-psychological aspects. Sikkim’s sociocultural and agroecological characteristics are studied. Findings show that attitudes (ATs), social norms and perceived behavioral control (PBC) shape SAP adoption intentions (INs), with gender-specific dynamics, age-related nuances and complex socioeconomic factors. This study answers the comprehensive question: ‘What socio-psychological factors influence smallholder farmers in Sikkim, India, to adopt Sustainable Agricultural Practices?’ using quantitative surveys and PLS-SEM analysis of 407 smallholder farmers. In broader conclusion, the study suggests local governments, NGOs, development practitioners, researchers and stakeholders tailor sustainability interventions. This socio-psychological study addresses critical SAP adoption gaps by shifting from behavioral analyses. The main takeaway is that interventions must consider smallholder farmers’ diverse motivations and contextual factors when adopting SAPs. This study advances regional literature and sustainable agriculture discourse, promoting a socially equitable agricultural future.
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U2 - 10.1080/23311886.2024.2350118
DO - 10.1080/23311886.2024.2350118
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85192834889
SN - 2331-1886
VL - 10
JO - Cogent Social Sciences
JF - Cogent Social Sciences
IS - 1
M1 - 2350118
ER -