In the heart of Kentucky, a new study is shedding light on what drives farmers to adopt and intensify the use of conservation management practices (CMPs), offering valuable insights for the agriculture sector. The research, led by Ife Familusi from the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources at Kentucky State University, was recently published in the *Journal of Agriculture and Food Research*.
The study reveals that nearly half of the surveyed farmers in Kentucky have embraced at least one CMP, with many implementing multiple practices to reap a range of benefits. “Farmers often adopt combinations of conservation management practices implemented in-field or at the edge-of-field to obtain synergistic agronomic, economic, and environmental benefits,” Familusi explains.
The most commonly adopted practices include crop rotation, cover cropping, nutrient management, and various tillage practices. However, double cropping remains the least common, concentrated in only a few counties. The study employed a probit model to analyze CMP adoption and a zero-truncated negative binomial (ZTNB) model to examine adoption intensity among adopters.
The findings indicate that the use of precision agriculture, irrigation, higher education levels, and dependence on off-farm income are positively associated with the initial adoption of CMPs. Conversely, indemnity payments per acre and slope were negatively associated with adoption. Among adopters, the intensity of CMP use increased with higher education levels and greater access to information, while dependence on off-farm income reduced intensity.
“These findings indicate that the drivers of CMP adoption differ from the drivers of CMP intensity, with human capital and information access essential for scaling up CMP portfolios in Kentucky,” Familusi notes.
The commercial implications of this research are significant. Understanding the factors that influence both the adoption and intensity of CMP use can help policymakers, agricultural extension services, and industry stakeholders develop targeted strategies to promote sustainable farming practices. By enhancing human capital and improving information access, the agriculture sector can potentially increase the adoption and intensity of CMPs, leading to improved agronomic and economic outcomes while also benefiting the environment.
This research could shape future developments in the field by highlighting the importance of tailored approaches to conservation management. As Familusi and colleagues suggest, addressing the specific needs and constraints of farmers can lead to more effective and widespread adoption of sustainable practices. By doing so, the agriculture sector can work towards achieving a balance between productivity and environmental stewardship, ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience.
In an era where sustainable agriculture is more critical than ever, this study provides a roadmap for fostering the adoption and intensification of conservation management practices, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and prosperous future for Kentucky’s farmers and the broader agriculture sector.