In the quest to make German agriculture more sustainable, a recent study published in the *German Journal of Agricultural Economics* (or *Zeitschrift für Agrarökonomie* in German) has shed light on the behavioural drivers that influence farmers’ adoption of agri-environmental practices. Led by Julian Rode of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, the research offers a nuanced understanding of what motivates farmers to embrace sustainable practices, paving the way for more targeted policy interventions.
The study, based on interviews with twelve experts on German agriculture, evaluated the importance of a wide range of behavioural factors for the adoption of 18 different agri-environmental practices. The findings reveal that the significance of these factors varies greatly depending on the practice in question. While enhancing farmers’ knowledge and capabilities emerged as a universal key factor, other drivers such as financial resources and future-orientation were found to be more specific to certain groups of practices.
“One of the most striking findings was the identification of three distinct clusters of practices that share similar behavioural drivers,” Rode explains. For instance, practices like agroforestry, hedges, and permanent grassland were found to be particularly demanding for farmers and difficult to reverse. These practices require a strong future-orientation, a favourable legal context, and adequate financial resources. On the other hand, practices such as legumes, reduced mowing, and reduced tillage were found to potentially save farmers time and workforce, but their adoption depends heavily on proper integration within farmers’ existing habits and routines.
The implications of this research for the agricultural sector, and indeed the broader energy sector, are significant. As the push towards sustainability intensifies, understanding what drives farmers to adopt sustainable practices can inform the design of more effective policy interventions. This could include targeted training programs to enhance farmers’ knowledge and capabilities, as well as financial support schemes to facilitate the adoption of practices that require significant upfront investment.
Moreover, the identification of distinct clusters of practices with shared behavioural drivers offers a valuable framework for tailoring interventions to specific groups of practices. This could not only increase the effectiveness of policy interventions but also optimize the use of resources, ultimately accelerating the transition towards a more sustainable agricultural sector.
As Rode notes, “Our findings provide a robust basis for designing targeted policy interventions that can effectively support farmers in their transition towards more sustainable practices.” With the agricultural sector playing a pivotal role in the broader energy and sustainability landscape, this research offers valuable insights that could shape future developments in the field.