Transition from chemical fertilizers to sustainable swards: What determines farmers' adoption decisions for clover and multi-species swards?

Abstract

Context

Farmers' transition from using chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer to adopting sustainable alternatives like clover and multi-species swards can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, increase carbon sequestration, improve water quality, reduce dependence on volatile fertilizer prices and imports, and offer numerous other benefits. However, despite efforts to promote the uptake of clover and multi-species swards, adoption by farmers remains low.

Objective

This study addresses an important literature gap by exploring the socio-psychological factors influencing farmers' adoption decisions around clover and multi-species swards. Specifically, it investigates the determinants of both intentions to adopt and self-reported adoption levels. Unlike the majority of previous studies, adoption is analysed as a multi-stage process rather than a conventional binary decision, providing more nuanced insights into the complex process of adopting clover and multi-species swards.

Methods

A survey was conducted with 373 farmers who are part of the EU Farm Accountancy Data Network for Ireland. Focus group discussions helped with the design of the survey. A principal component analysis, based on polychoric correlations, was employed on Likert-scale statements capturing socio-psychological factors. Final components were then used as explanatory variables in separate ordered logistic regressions of intentions to adopt clover and multi-species swards, and in a multinomial logistic regression of self-reported adoption levels.

Results and conclusions

Findings highlight the significant role of farmers' perceptions in their decision-making processes. Results show that the perceived usefulness of clover and multi-species swards is a significant driver of intentions to adopt and self-reported adoption levels. Conversely, the perceived complexity of adoption is a significant barrier to farmers' intentions to adopt clover. In addition, farmers with more familiarity with clover are more likely to adopt it, and farmers who have already tested clover are more likely to adopt multi-species swards.

Significance

In response to the urgent need to reduce chemical N fertilizer usage in Europe and beyond, this study presents unique insights into the factors that drive and constrain the adoption of clover and multi-species swards. These findings provide valuable guidance for policy decisions, highlighting key factors that must be addressed to facilitate a widespread transition from chemical N fertilizers to clover and multi-species swards.