Impact of Social, Institutional and Environmental Factors on the Adoption of Sustainable Soil Management Practices: An Empirical Analysis from Bangladesh

Shaima Chowdhury Sharna, Asif Reza Anik (), Sanzidur Rahman () and Md. Abdus Salam
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Shaima Chowdhury Sharna: School of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
Asif Reza Anik: Department of Agricultural Economics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh
Md. Abdus Salam: Department of Agricultural Economics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh

Land, 2022, vol. 11, issue 12, 1-20

Abstract: This paper explores the determinants of sustainable soil management (SSM) practices among Bangladeshi paddy farmers. Relevant information from 2681 paddy farmers was extracted from the nationally representative Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey (BIHS 2018–2019) dataset. Four SSM practices were commonly practiced with 37.04% of the sampled farmers adopting at least one SSM practice. ‘Use of organic fertilizer’ was the most common practice, whereas the other three, viz. ‘zero-tillage’, ‘incorporate paddy residue’, and ‘legume cultivation’ were less practiced by the farmers. Econometric analysis revealed that differences in the farmers’ socio-economic conditions, environmental and institutional settings were the main drivers of the SMM practice decisions. Climatic factors were critical in shaping the farmers’ decision to adopt SSM practices. Education, access to information and extension services increased the adoption probability of SSM practices. Improved infrastructure and being located within the economically vulnerable areas (e.g., Feed the Future zone) influenced the farmers’ adoption decision, but the magnitude and direction varied depending on the individual circumstances. The farmers’ socio-economic conditions, e.g., assets and farm size, also had a notable influence on the adoption of SSM practices. Policy implications include strengthening extension services, incorporation of climatic information in education and dissemination of information on SSM practices, particularly to farmers living in vulnerable areas.

Keywords: sustainable soil management; adoption; climate change; socio-economic; institutional and environmental factors; Bangladesh (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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