نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
عنوان مقاله English
نویسندگان English
One of the methods to reduce water consumption in rice cultivation is the promotion of dry direct seeding of rice (DDSR). However, despite its numerous advantages, the level of adoption among farmers is low. This research examines the factors influencing the adoption of DDSR among adopters of this method in Golestan province using the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Protection Motivation Theory. The statistical population of the study consisted of 355 DDSR farmers in Golestan province, from which 186 were selected as the sample based on the Krejcie and Morgan sampling table. Sampling was conducted using a multi-stage cluster sampling method in each county and randomly in the villages studied. The measurement instrument was a researcher-developed questionnaire whose content validity was confirmed by expert judgment. Convergent and discriminant validity, as well as construct reliability, were also verified within the structural equation model using the AVE, CR, and Cronbach's alpha indices. After collecting and categorizing the data, descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used in SPSS 26, and the structural equation model was extracted using SmartPLS 3 software. The findings indicated that perceived vulnerability, perceived severity, response efficacy, perceived self-efficacy, attitudes toward dry cultivation, and subjective norms had significant positive effects on farmers' adoption behavior of DDSR, with coefficients of 0.620, 0.712, 0.558, 0.642, 0.698, and 0.586, respectively. Conversely, the response costs factor had a significant negative effect on adoption, with a coefficient of -0.660. These results emphasize the necessity of paying attention to farmers' perceptions and beliefs regarding water scarcity and its consequences, as well as the benefits and efficacy of coping methods such as DDSR.
کلیدواژهها English
Extended Abstract
Introduction
One of the methods to reduce water consumption in rice cultivation is the promotion of dry direct seeding of rice (DDSR). However, despite its numerous advantages, the level of adoption by farmers is low. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the factors influencing the adoption of this cultivation method by farmers to implement appropriate extension strategies. Many studies have been conducted regarding the adoption of new agricultural methods, adaptation techniques to drought, and the impacts of climate change. However, there is limited research on the adoption and implementation of DDSR as an alternative to traditional methods and as an effective solution for adapting to the water scarcity crisis. Furthermore, existing studies on DDSR that discuss its advantages, disadvantages, and adoption factors (Razzaghi et al., 2020; Rabiei et al., 2016; Ghorbani Kolahi et al., 2010) have not utilized any behavioral prediction theories. As a result, this research combines two behavior change theories, namely the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) (Ajzen, 1991) and the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) (Rogers, 1983) to analyze the factors influencing the adoption of DDSR. Additionally, there is currently no research available that examines this topic using the combination of these two theories. Moreover, the determinants of adoption for DDSR vary based on the geographical and climatic conditions of different regions and must be studied from various perspectives to provide appropriate knowledge for analyzing it. In this context, the main objective of this study is to investigate the factors affecting the adoption behavior of farmers regarding DDSR in Golestan province through the integration of TPB and PMT.
Materials and Methods
The study is based on survey data from a cross-section of rice farmers for the cropping year of 2022 collected from Golestan Province. The statistical population of the study consisted of 355 DDSR farmers in Golestan province, from which 186 were selected as the sample size based on the Krejcie and Morgan sampling table. Sampling was conducted using a proportional allocation method in each county and randomly in the villages studied. The research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire, whose validity was established based on the opinions of agricultural extension experts, and its reliability was determined by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient. After collecting and categorizing the data, descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used in SPSS 26, and the structural equation model was extracted using Smart PLS 3 software.
Results and Discussion
The results from prioritizing the factors influencing farmers' acceptance behavior of dry rice cultivation indicated that the statements "I know that if I continue with conventional rice cultivation, my farm will be vulnerable to the threat of water scarcity" were associated with the perception of vulnerability. The statement "The conditions for traditional rice cultivation have become more difficult due to water shortages” was related to the perception of severity of damage. The statement "Dry rice cultivation requires less reliance on machinery and energy consumption" was linked to the response efficacy factor. Meanwhile, the statement "Dry rice cultivation produces lower yields compared to traditional cultivation” was pertained to the response costs factor. The statement "I have the necessary ability and skills for cultivating rice using the dry method" were associated with self-efficacy, and "Cultivating rice using the dry method is a necessity for the region” was related to the farmers' attitude towards dry cultivation. Additionally, the statement "Experts in the region believe that dry cultivation methods should be promoted here" was tied to subjective norms, while "If conditions are favorable, I prefer dry rice cultivation over traditional flooded methods" was evaluated as having the highest importance of each factor in the acceptance of dry rice cultivation among farmers. The findings indicated that perceptions of vulnerability, perceptions of severity, response efficacy, self-efficacy, attitudes toward dry cultivation, and subjective norms had significant positive effects on farmers' adoption behavior of DDSR, with coefficients of 0.620, 0.712, 0.558, 0.642, 0.698, and 0.586, respectively. Conversely, the response costs factor had a significant negative effect on the adoption behavior, with a coefficient of -0.660
Conclusion
These results emphasize the necessity of paying attention to farmers' perceptions and beliefs regarding water scarcity and its consequences, as well as the benefits and efficacy of coping methods such as DDSR. In conclusion, the more farmers know about the benefits and effectiveness of new methods, and the lower they perceive the costs, the more willing they will be to adopt them. This is particularly important in the case of DDSR, which can lead to increased costs of weed control and a slight yield reduction. Therefore, it is essential that other benefits of DDSR, especially reduced labor requirements and water savings, are highlighted during the promotion of this method. Based on the findings of this research, the future policy-making could focus on creating educational and extension programs that enhance farmers' understanding of DDSR, reduce the perception of costs, and improve their self-efficacy. Improving information dissemination about the advantages and practical applications of DDSR is key to encouraging farmers to adopt this method. Additionally, examining the impact of social, cultural, and economic factors on the adoption of DDSR could provide deeper insights into the existing challenges and opportunities.
This article is based on a Master of Science by the second author. G. Abdollahzadeh (supervisor) designed the experiment and research plan. The first author, M. Khatiri, conducted all interviews, completed the questionnaires, wrote the initial draft, and participated in the statistical analysis. M.S. Sharifzadeh (third author) contributed to questionnaire preparation and statistical analysis. K. Ghorbani (fourth author) reviewed all maps and the final draft. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Data sharing is applicable with a formal and justified request for the corresponding author.
The authors would like to thank the Research and Technology Deputy of Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources for their support of this research.
All ethical considerations were observed in this study. The Respondents participated freely in the field survey and were fully informed about the research objectives. The authors also committed to avoiding data fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and other forms of research misconduct.
The authors declares no conflict of interest.
