Understanding farmer preferences and trade-offs for adopting sustainable crop production: a systematic review

Abstract

Abstract Despite the potential benefits of sustainable agricultural practices and their positive effects on the environment and sustainable food systems, adoption levels have remained relatively low. To better understand the underlying issues, this study conducts a systematic literature review to synthesize farmer preferences for adopting sustainable agricultural practices, focusing on both stated and revealed preferences. The study combines the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) approach and thematic analysis. The synthesis resulted in six broad themes in which preferences and trade-offs are elicited. They include soil management, water management, pesticide use reduction, fertilizer use reduction, smart farm technologies, and sustainable intensification. The review also examines features used to elicit preferences and their interconnections, and how they shape farmer decision-making on the adoption of sustainable crop practices. By focusing on preferences, we uncover critical insights into farmers' adoption behavior and decision-making, shedding light on the trade-offs farmers face when adopting sustainable practices. Results reveal significant heterogeneity in farmer preferences, which are highly context-specific and shaped by socio-economic and environmental factors. These findings underscore the need for context-specific strategies rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. The insights offer valuable guidance for designing targeted interventions to scale the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices effectively.

Keywords

• Crop farmer
• Sustainable crop production practices
• Stated preferences
• Revealed preferences
• Trade-offs heterogeneity