Understanding farmers’ intention to adopt sustainable agriculture in Sikkim: The role of environmental consciousness and attitude

Abstract

This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the key factors influencing farmers’ intentions to adopt sustainable agricultural practices in the unique context of Sikkim. It extends the theory of planned behavior by incorporating environmental consciousness and knowledge as additional independent variables. It examines their impact on farmers’ intentions, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. A sample of 384 farmers from two districts of Sikkim was selected using a multistage sampling technique. The collected data were analyzed using Smart PLS SEM 4 software, employing path analysis to determine the direct and indirect effects of the independent variables on farmers’ intention to adopt sustainable agriculture. Environmental consciousness strongly influenced farmers’ attitudes and subjective norms. Knowledge also significantly affects farmers’ perceived behavioral control. Notably, an impactful link was found between environmental consciousness and the intention to adopt sustainable agriculture. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners. Targeted interventions and educational programs should be developed to enhance farmers’ environmental consciousness and knowledge, thereby promoting the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in Sikkim. This study extends the theory of planned behavior by incorporating environmental consciousness and knowledge as additional determinants. It contributes to understanding the behavioral factors influencing farmers’ intentions to adopt sustainable agriculture and their interrelationships within the context of Sikkim. This study comprehensively investigated the determinants of farmers’ intentions to adopt sustainable agricultural practices in Sikkim. It contributes to the existing literature by incorporating environmental consciousness and knowledge into the theory of planned behavior, providing a nuanced understanding of the adoption process.