Drivers for adopting intermediate crops : sowing sustainability in Sweden

Sammanfattning

Extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, and nutrient leakage increasingly threaten farmers' viability in the 21st century. Soil management practices, such as intermediate crops, aim to increase soil carbon sequestration and may contribute to yield stability and food security if the local farming environment and farmers' preferences are properly considered. This study examined ecological, social, and behavioural drivers among Swedish farming professionals for implementing intermediate crops into crop regimes in the context of a recently implemented agri-environmental scheme. Previous research on adopting farming practices and participation in subsidy schemes was reviewed, emphasising the role of network structures, economic considerations, and geophysical constraints. A comprehensive interdisciplinary approach was chosen, analysing a survey sample utilising structural equation modelling and binary logistic regression. This rigorous methodology bridged separate research streams and identified drivers for future implementation goals. The findings of this study have implications in understanding the socio-structural environment's impact on the implementation of intermediate crops. The study identified several socio-ecological drivers, including existing crop regimes, soil types, and prior application. It also highlighted the influence of education and recent contact with the farming advisory service Greppa Näringen. This study has made a unique and significant contribution to understanding the drivers of implementing carbon sequestration practices among Swedish farmers. It has underscored the crucial role of local information access and the need to consider geographical differences. The novelty of the interdisciplinary conceptual framework has allowed for a comprehensive analysis of drivers, further enhancing the relevance and importance of this research.