Adoption of Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Diffusion, Farm Structure, and Profitability¹

Abstract

This paper employs diffusion and farm-structure variables to explain variations in Montana farmers' adoption of two kinds of sustainable agricultural practices: those involving intensive management and those which require fewer purchased inputs. While perceived profitability was found to be the most important factor affecting adoption of both, the independent variables had different effects on beliefs about net economic returns as well as on adoption of the two practices. Type of farm enterprise played a larger role in adoption of the low-input practices than the management intensive ones; access to information was more important for the latter. Implications for policy are discussed.

Economic Analysis of Climate Change Best Management Practices in Vermont Agriculture

“…Perceptions of risk and profitability are also important to BMP adoption as perceived risk is related to the perceived profitability of a BMP [57][58][59]. If there is a perceived risk that implementing a best management practice will threaten the viability of a farm, this will typically outweigh the perceived benefits of implementing that practice regardless of environmental awareness and other factors [57].…”

“…Therefore, we recommend that local Extension systems incorporate the costs and implementation of CCBMPs into online educational materials and workshops to provide the necessary information to potential practice adopters and generally maximize adoption. Understanding these specifically defined costs will help alleviate farmer perceptions of unknown risks and profitability, two vital barriers to BMP adoption [57][58][59].…”

What would farmers do? Adaptation intentions under a Corn Belt climate change scenario

“…Specifically, crop insurance is a key risk management tool currently used by many farmers across the Corn Belt, particularly as a way to protect their farm operations from catastrophic crop losses caused by extreme weather events (NASS 2014a). Additionally, greater diversification of cropping systems can help explain farmer adoption of conservation practices (Saltiel et al 1994;Singer et al 2007;Arbuckle and Roesch-McNally 2015) and is also considered an important strategy for building greater resiliency in response to more extreme weather (Jordan and Warner 2010;Lin 2011).…”

Principles Guiding Practice: A Case Study Analysis of the Principles of Sustainable Agriculture for Diverse Farms

“…Given the origins of the concept of sustainability in the environmental movement, it is not surprising that deliberation among proponents tended to emphasize the relationships between agriculture and the environment (Altieri, 1989;Barbier, 1989;Edwards, Grove, Harwood, & Colfer, 1993;Hoag & Skold, 1996;Rosegrant & Livernash, 1996;Rosset & Altieri, 1997;Ruttan, 1996Ruttan, , 2000. Proponents also soon turned their attention to the importance of economic viability for sustainability (Hitzhusen, 1992;Lighthall, 1996;Lu, Watkins & Teasdale, 1999;Lyson & Welsh, 1993;Madden, 1987;Marra & Kaval, 2000;Painter, 1991;Saltiel, Bauder & Palakovich, 1994;Walsh & Lyson, 1997).…”