Analyzing Factors Affecting Sustainable Behaviors among Cotton Producers: The case of Isfahan Province

Document Type : Original Article

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Abstract

At the present time, ecological crises are considered as behavioral problems. On the other hand, sustainable agriculture heavily depends upon farmers' behavior. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting farmers’ behavior towards sustainable agriculture activities. The research was conducted as a survey using stratified random sampling. Cases were selected from 178 cotton producing families (357 men and women, 179 and 178 in number respectively) using questionnaire. Path analysis indicated that farmers’ knowledge toward sustainable agriculture, the amount of land, feasibility of sustainable agriculture methods, level of education, the moral and social norms toward sustainable activities directly affect cotton producers’ sustainable behavior. The findings showed that access to information related to sustainable agriculture, environmental effects, awareness of environmental consequences, ascription of behavioral responsibility and moral norm toward sustainable activities through knowledge of sustainability have indirect impacts on cotton producers’ sustainable behavior. The amount of land, moral norm toward sustainable activities and awareness of environmental consequences through attitude toward sustainability have an indirect impact on cotton producers’ sustainable behavior. Also, access to resources, attitude toward sustainability, distance to extension service center, level of education, social norm toward sustainable activities, access to information related to sustainable agriculture and the amount of land have indirect impacts on cotton producers’ sustainable behavior.

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Iranian Agricultural Extension and Education Journal
Volume 10, Issue 2
November 2014
Pages 137-151

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