Sustainable Farming Practices, Awareness, and Behavior in Small Farms in Brazil

Roya Gholami, Breno Nunes, Dolores Higón

OAI: oai:igi-global.com:276090 • DOI: 10.4018/JGIM.20211101.oa31

This paper investigates the relationship between the use of digital and non-digital sources of information on sustainable farming practices, institutional pressure and adoption of such practices by farmers in Brazilian semi-arid lands. The research uses a model based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and the institutional theory. Our results for a sample of 100 Brazilian farmers show that non-digital sources of information and ‘Coercive’ and ‘Normative’ pressures have a positive impact on farmers’ attitude towards and actual adoption of sustainable farming practices. However, digital sources of information such as TV and Radio do not play a significant role. In addition, pro-environmental attitude drives sustainable behaviour through the adoption of three out of the five sustainable farming practices investigated. Research and policy implications are also discussed.

Global Information Technology Computer Science and Information Technology IT Research and Theory