Improving the representation of smallholder farmers’ adaptive behaviour in agent-based models: Learning-by-doing and social learning

Apetrei, Cristina I.; Strelkovskii, Nikita; Khabarov, Nikolay; Javalera Rincón, Valeria

doi:10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2023.110609

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…As perceptions, attitudes, and opinions influence individuals' intentions, which, in turn, influence their behavior [28][29][30][31][32], farmers' positive or negative views related to wastewater may influence the implementation of this new practice (Even ifDespite the fact that, in this research paper, we focus on socio-behavioral aspects as antecedents of farmers' decisions, the literature provides different theories. To illustrate, farmers' decisions can be explained through the rational choice theory [33], the theory of planned behavior (TPB) [34], the diffusion of innovations theory [35], and the social learning theory [36,37]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring Factors Shaping Farmer Behavior in Wastewater Utilization for Agricultural Practices: A Rapid Review

Mirra,

Russo,

Borrello

2024

Sustainability

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In recent years, circular economy strategies have gained attention in agriculture, particularly regarding the utilization of wastewater as an alternative water source. This study employs a rapid review methodology to examine farmers’ attitudes toward wastewater use in agriculture. By analyzing studies in literature published from 2000 to 2023, this review identifies the key factors influencing farmers’ adoption of wastewater irrigation. These findings are valuable for policymakers seeking to develop targeted policies that support and encourage the adoption of wastewater irrigation, thereby contributing to sustainable water resource management.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring Factors Shaping Farmer Behavior in Wastewater Utilization for Agricultural Practices: A Rapid Review

Mirra,

Russo,

Borrello

2024

Sustainability

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Simulation of smallholder farmers’ adaptation to irrigation-induced landslides: An ABM application in human-land-policy interaction

Feng,

Wang

2024

Journal of Rural Studies

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A sustainable approach to improving agrifood production: getting the balance right between organic soil amendments and chemical fertilizers

Vatsa,

Zheng,

2024

CAER

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PurposeWe analyzed the effects of different combinations of organic soil amendments (OSAs) and chemical fertilizers on agrifood production, focusing on banana yields in China, the second-largest producer of bananas globally.Design/methodology/approachWe computed these combinations by dividing the expenditures on OSAs by those on chemical fertilizers and called them OSA-CF ratios. First, we classified farmers based on quintiles of expenditures on chemical fertilizers. Then, we studied the association between OSA-CF ratios and banana yields for each quintile. We also considered an alternate specification in which farmers were grouped along the OSA-CF ratio continuum. The first group comprised farmers not using OSAs. Their OSA-CF ratio was zero. Farmers applying low, medium, and high OSA-CF ratios constituted groups two, three, and four; the groups were delineated based on the OSA-CF ratio tertiles, and the associations between tertiles of OSA-CF ratios and banana yields for each quintile were analyzed. The data used in this study were collected by surveying 616 households in three major banana-producing provinces (Guangdong, Hainan, and Yunnan) of China. Standard linear regressions and the two-stage predictor substitution method were employed to complete the analysis.FindingsThere were variations in the effects of OSA-CF ratios on banana yields obtained by farmers iifferent quintiles. For the first and second quintiles, low, medium, and high OSA-CF ratios improved banana yields relative to not using OSAs. For farmers in the first quintile using only chemical fertilizers, applying a low OSA-CF ratio was associated with an improvement of 792 kg/mu in banana yields. For their counterparts in the second quintile, the same transition was associated with a gain of 534 kg/mu. For the fifth quintile, comprising farmers spending 320 yuan/mu or more on chemical fertilizers, applying a high OSA-CF ratio instead of using only chemical fertilizers was associated with a 401 kg/mu decline in banana yields. Even so, for this group, no differences were observed between the yields of farmers not applying OSAs and those using low and medium OSA-CF ratios.Practical implicationsBanana farmers in southern China, using only chemical fertilizers, can improve yields by combining them with OSAs if their chemical fertilizer expenditures are less than 66.67 yuan/mu. Those using only chemical fertilizers and spending between 68 yuan/mu and 300 yuan/mu on them can maintain yields by applying OSAs in conjunction with chemical fertilizers. However, yields may decline for farmers using only chemical fertilizers and spending 320 yuan/mu or more on them if they incorporate OSAs such that the OSA-CF ratio reaches 0.78 or higher. Overall, combining OSAs with chemical fertilizers can improve yields while attenuating the adverse effects of chemical fertilizers on the environment. Policymakers should inform farmers of these benefits and accelerate the transition to sustainable agriculture through educational and awareness programs.Originality/valueFarmers apply OSAs such as organic fertilizers and farmyard manure to adjust and remedy soil nutrition to improve farm productivity. However, little is known about how combining OSAs with chemical fertilizers affects banana yields. This study provided the first attempt to explore the associations between OSA-CF ratios and banana yields using cross-sectional data on farming households.

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Improving the representation of smallholder farmers’ adaptive behaviour in agent-based models: Learning-by-doing and social learning

Cited by 3 publications

References 94 publications

Exploring Factors Shaping Farmer Behavior in Wastewater Utilization for Agricultural Practices: A Rapid Review

Exploring Factors Shaping Farmer Behavior in Wastewater Utilization for Agricultural Practices: A Rapid Review

Simulation of smallholder farmers’ adaptation to irrigation-induced landslides: An ABM application in human-land-policy interaction

A sustainable approach to improving agrifood production: getting the balance right between organic soil amendments and chemical fertilizers

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