Trajectories of change for farmers to integrate agri-environmental practices: A longitudinal study of adoption dynamics

IF 6.2 1区农林科学 Q1 AGRICULTURE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Agricultural Systems Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2026-01-21 DOI:10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104638

Aurélie Dumont, Julie Ruiz, Stéphane Campeau

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Context

The adoption of agri-environmental practices (AEPs) is rarely linear. Farmers follow complex trajectories shaped by technical systems, individual perceptions, and broader socio-environmental conditions. Cross-sectional studies often miss this variability, highlighting the need for longitudinal approaches that capture how change unfolds over time.

Objective

This study examines the diversity of individual trajectories through which AEPs are voluntarily integrated into system of farming practices. It characterises trajectories across four dimensions—direction, speed, continuity, and extent—using the CIAEP framework (Change towards the Integration of Agri-Environmental Practices).

Methods

A six-year longitudinal study (2015, 2017, 2021) was conducted with 20 farmers in southern Quebec, Canada. Repeated interviews documented the integration of three sets of practices: environmentally aligned AEPs, soil conservation practices, and riparian buffer strips. Farmers were positioned within stages of change using the CIAEP framework.

Results and conclusions

Farmers experienced varied trajectories in the integration of different practices. Soil conservation practices were often marked by setbacks and discontinuities, while riparian buffers advanced more steadily. For most farmers, trajectories were slow, with only a few reaching operationalisation or full integration. Major shifts typically occurred after “trigger” moments when environmental challenges were recognised. Rapid trajectories were observed but rarely sustained; slower, continuous ones were more often associated with partial integration.

Significance

This study demonstrates the value of longitudinal analyses for capturing adoption dynamics and variability among farmers. It provides methodological insights into change processes and practical guidance for policymakers and advisors: sustained, tailored support aligned with farmers' trajectories is essential to foster durable integration of AEPs.

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农民整合农业环境实践的变化轨迹：采用动态的纵向研究

农业环境实践（AEPs）的采用很少是线性的。农民遵循由技术系统、个人观念和更广泛的社会环境条件形成的复杂轨迹。横断面研究经常忽略这种可变性，强调需要纵向方法来捕捉变化如何随时间展开。目的本研究考察了农业生产者自愿融入农业实践系统的个体轨迹的多样性。它利用CIAEP框架（向农业-环境实践一体化的转变）描述了四个维度的轨迹——方向、速度、连续性和范围。方法对加拿大魁北克省南部20名农民进行为期6年（2015年、2017年、2021年）的纵向研究。反复的访谈记录了三套实践的整合：符合环境的aep、土壤保护实践和河岸缓冲带。使用CIAEP框架，农民被定位在变化的阶段。结果与结论农民在不同实践的整合过程中经历了不同的发展轨迹。土壤保持措施的特点往往是挫折和不连续性，而河岸缓冲则更稳定地推进。对大多数农民来说，发展轨迹缓慢，只有少数农民实现了业务化或完全一体化。重大转变通常发生在认识到环境挑战的“触发”时刻之后。观察到快速的轨迹，但很少持续；较慢的、连续的记忆往往与部分积分有关。意义本研究证明了纵向分析在捕捉农民收养动态和变异性方面的价值。它为变革过程提供了方法论上的见解，并为政策制定者和顾问提供了实际指导：根据农民的发展轨迹提供持续的、量身定制的支持，对于促进农业生产者的持久整合至关重要。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Agricultural Systems 农林科学-农业综合

CiteScore

13.30

自引率

7.60%

发文量

174

审稿时长

30 days

期刊介绍： Agricultural Systems is an international journal that deals with interactions - among the components of agricultural systems, among hierarchical levels of agricultural systems, between agricultural and other land use systems, and between agricultural systems and their natural, social and economic environments. The scope includes the development and application of systems analysis methodologies in the following areas: Systems approaches in the sustainable intensification of agriculture; pathways for sustainable intensification; crop-livestock integration; farm-level resource allocation; quantification of benefits and trade-offs at farm to landscape levels; integrative, participatory and dynamic modelling approaches for qualitative and quantitative assessments of agricultural systems and decision making; The interactions between agricultural and non-agricultural landscapes; the multiple services of agricultural systems; food security and the environment; Global change and adaptation science; transformational adaptations as driven by changes in climate, policy, values and attitudes influencing the design of farming systems; Development and application of farming systems design tools and methods for impact, scenario and case study analysis; managing the complexities of dynamic agricultural systems; innovation systems and multi stakeholder arrangements that support or promote change and (or) inform policy decisions.