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How does social capital affect farmers’ environment-friendly technology adoption behavior? A case study in Hubei Province, China

Author

Listed:
  • Jinhua Xie

    (Lanzhou University)

  • Gangqiao Yang

    (Huazhong Agricultural University)

  • Ge Wang

    (Huazhong Agricultural University
    Rural Revitalization Institute, Huazhong Agricultural University
    Huazhong Agricultural University)

  • Shuoyan He

    (Huazhong Agricultural University)

Abstract

Based on the social capital theory, this study analyzes the mechanisms by which social capital and technology cognition influence farmers’ environment-friendly technology adoption behavior (ETAB). Using primary survey data from rural areas in Hubei Province, central China, Logit and Ologit models are applied for empirical analysis. The results are shown as follows. (1) Social capital directly affects farmers’ decisions to adopt environment-friendly technology. (2) Technology cognition has a significant positive impact on farmers’ adoption of environment-friendly technology. (3) Social capital indirectly influences the farmers’ ETAB through their perceived technology risk. Thus, first, it is important to maximize the use of social capital to promote farmers’ ETAB effectively and use different channels to enhance farmers’ perceptions of environment-friendly technology and alleviate the risk of adopting technology. Second, it is crucial to establish an effective platform to distribute agricultural technology knowledge and to provide different targeted technology services based on the different education levels of farmers. Third, the government should make environment-friendly technology more accessible and available by improving the agricultural technology service system in rural areas and lowering the loan threshold, loan rate, and other agricultural costs. In sum, the effective integration of these measures can better guide farmers to adopt environment-friendly technology to protect the rural ecological environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Jinhua Xie & Gangqiao Yang & Ge Wang & Shuoyan He, 2024. "How does social capital affect farmers’ environment-friendly technology adoption behavior? A case study in Hubei Province, China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(7), pages 18361-18384, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:26:y:2024:i:7:d:10.1007_s10668-023-03392-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-023-03392-w
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