The influence of social capital on farmers’ green control technology adoption behavior

Abstract

Relying on social capital to promote farmers’ adoption of green control technology is of great significance for the governance of rural environment and the realization of sustainable agricultural development. Based on the survey data of 754 farmers in Shandong Province, this paper uses the Probit model and the instrumental variable method to empirically analyze the impact of social capital on farmers’ green control technology adoption behavior. The results show that: social capital has a promoting influence on farmers’ green control technology adoption behavior; the influence of the three dimensions of social capital on farmers’ green control technology adoption behavior is in turn social norms, social networks, and social trust; social networks play an enhanced moderating role in the process of social trust and social norms promoting farmers’ green control technology adoption behavior; education level, the number of family labor force and annual family income level have a significant positive impact on farmers’ green control technology adoption behavior, while age has a significant negative impact. Therefore, the government should make full use of social capital to promote farmers to adopt green control technology.

Study on the influence mechanism of adoption of smart agriculture technology behavior

“…Moreover, policy incentives can sustain and scale the adoption of new technologies by farmers 41 – 43 , 60 . The connection of social network relations formed by cotton farmers based on geography and kinship makes information transfer and collective communication and decision making the main way of technology diffusion 61 . In rural societies, cotton farmers learn from the effects and experiences of ‘opinion leaders’, such as local demonstrators, neighbours and co-operative members, who prioritise the adoption of new technologies, and then emulate them to reduce the risks and uncertainties of adopting SA technologies.…”

Unpacking Social Capital as A Determinant of Sustainable Agriculture Adoption: A Literature Review

“…A few limited characteristics of farmers, such as location, income, and age, lead to limited access to information and resources (Zheng et al, 2022;Zeweld et al, 2018). By leveraging the social network, farmers gain access to more quality resources, leading to more information and resources that can increase the likelihood of adoption (Ren et al, 2022). For example, farmer groups or associations can provide a platform for farmers to share knowledge, experience, and best practices related to sustainable agriculture practices.…”

“…Social trust and kinship are critical dimensions of social capital studied in adopting sustainable agriculture practices. Social trust refers to individuals' trust and confidence in their social networks, institutions, and communities (Ren et al, 2022). Higher levels of social trust can facilitate cooperation, coordination, and collective action among individuals and groups, contributing to the successful adoption of sustainable agricultural practices (Zheng et al, 2022).…”

“…Kinship, otherwise, refers to the ties of family relationships and can also play a significant role in adopting sustainable agriculture practices (Teklewold et al, 2013). Kinship ties can provide access to social support, resources, and information that can facilitate the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices (Ren et al, 2022;Zheng et al, 2022). In addition, kinship ties can contribute to communities' social cohesion and solidarity, increasing the likelihood of collective action and the successful adoption of sustainable agriculture practices (Kassie et al, 2013).…”

“…Given the growing concerns about climate change, food security, and resource scarcity, sustainable agriculture has emerged as a critical solution to the agricultural sector's various environmental, social, and economic challenges (Ren et al, 2022). Sustainable agriculture can reduce the carbon footprint on the environment, increase the efficiency of resource use and long-term productivity, and, more importantly, increase the resilience of the agricultural system (Bourne et al, 2021;Kansanga et al, 2020).…”