Ignoring environmentally sound practices. Farmers' manure waste handling behavior and its determinants in Turkey

Abstract

This paper examines the factors that determine farmers' intention to improve animal waste storage facilities using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The model was tested using Structural Equation Modelling. Data were collected from 376 small and medium livestock farmers in Turkey. The results showed farmers' intention to improve waste facilities was primarily determined by their attitudes. Subjective norms (SN) and perceived behavioral control (PBC) were almost equally influential. Multiple-Group Analysis determined the effects of control variables. The attitude of less-educated farmers, who owned more extensive livestock operations and relied solely on income from livestock, had a significant and positive effect on the intention to improve farm waste management. SN and PBC were significant determinants of the behavior of farmers' who were more educated, had more prominent families, and employed higher-paid labor. The results will help central and local governments, industry investors, and growers' associations understand farmers' attitudes toward waste storage issues and develop more effective strategies to ensure environmental sustainability and better use of investment and training opportunities.