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Explaining pro-environmental behavior of farmers: A case of rural Iran

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Abstract

The effects of population growth in the world have prompted farmers to excessively use agricultural land to produce the required food. Hence, human activities have been endangering and destroying the environment. Accordingly, the present study was designed based on identifying and introducing the determinants of the application of pro-environmental behaviors among Iranian farmers. The present study was conducted using a questionnaire survey with structural equation modeling and technology acceptance model as the theoretical framework elements of the research. The study population consisted of all wheat farmers living in Khuzestan province (southwest of Iran). The results revealed that about 59.8% of the variance of the farmers’ pro-environmental behavior was estimated using the technology acceptance model. The results of structural equation modeling also revealed that variables of attitude and intention, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness had significant effects on farmers’ pro-environmental behaviors. In general, the results of the present study can be considered as scientific and logical evidence for utilizing the technology acceptance model in applying pro-environmental behaviors. In addition, the results of this study can help national and local policymakers as well as decision -makers to encourage farmers toward using pro-environmental behaviors.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Notes

  1. Integrated science data management

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the support provided by Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Iran.

Funding

The authors are grateful for the support provided by Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Iran.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Mollasani, Iran

    Moslem Savari & Bahman Khosravipour

  2. Department of Agricultural Management and Development, Faculty of Agricultural Economics and Development, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

    Milad Zhoolideh

Authors
  1. Moslem Savari
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  2. Milad Zhoolideh
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  3. Bahman Khosravipour
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Correspondence to Moslem Savari.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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The authors declared that they had no conflicts of interest with respect to their authorship or the publication of this article.

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Savari, M., Zhoolideh, M. & Khosravipour, B. Explaining pro-environmental behavior of farmers: A case of rural Iran. Curr Psychol 42, 7752–7770 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-02093-9

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