Behavioural drivers and barriers for adopting microbial applications in arable farms

Evidence from the Netherlands and Germany

Bibliographic Data

ID21403045
AuthorsAnnika Francesca Tensi, Annika Tensi (0000-0003-3584-7183, Wageningen University & Research, corresponding author), Frederic Ang (0000-0002-2323-7081, Wageningen University & Research), H J van der Fels‐Klerx (0000-0002-7801-394X, Wageningen University & Research), H J van der Fels-Klerx
Year2022
Volume182
Pages121825
Publication date2022-09-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueTechnological Forecasting and Social Change (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0040-1625 • E-ISSN: 1873-5509
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121825
OpenAlexW4285040436
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited47

Microbial applications contribute to more sustainable agriculture by stimulating plant growth, increasing resistance to pests and diseases and relieving stresses from climate change. To stimulate the adoption of microbial applications, it is important to understand the underlying reasons for farmers' adoption decision. In this article, we investigate the behavioural drivers and barriers associated with the likelihood to adopt microbial applications. We employ the Behaviour Change Wheel and its capability, opportunity, motivation-behaviour (COM-B) model. Data were collected via an online survey among 196 Dutch and German arable farmers. We find that trust in microbial applications is an important driver and that lack of knowledge and professional support are barriers for the adoption of microbial applications. On this basis, we recommend three interventions: i) norm creation and enablement, ii) education and learning, and iii) trust building by providing incentives. The acceptance and success of a behavioural intervention depends on the choice of the interventionist. For instance, the role of governmental institutions in enforcing the adoption of microbial applications is perceived as problematic by farmers. Instead, farmers expect advisers and farmer organisations to become active in knowledge transmission and field studies

Agriculture · Arable land · Business · Economics · German · Incentive · Intervention (counseling) · Norm (philosophy) · Political science · Psychological intervention · Agricultural Innovations and Practices · Ecology · Marketing · Psychology

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