How farmer’s perceptions about sustainable soil management practices affect their behaviour towards future adoption of the practices in climate hazardous location?

Understanding farmers’ perception of sustainable soil management practices (SSMP) is essential for designing and promoting sustainable agriculture, thereby combating soil degradation. However, there is a limited understanding on how farmers perceptions of SSMP influence their adoption decision. This study investigated farmers’ perceptions of SSMP naming zero-tillage, residue incorporation, organic fertilization, crop rotation with legume and non-legume; and how these perceptions along with other socio-economic and environmental factors affect willingness to adopt SSMP for short-term and long-term in future. Dataset from a household-survey on rice farmers (N = 441) of four districts of Bangladesh, was analyzed by Control Function model included generalized inverse mills ratio (GIMR) to erase the endogeneity issue. Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were conducted with farmers and agricultural extension officers to gain supplementary information. Results suggest that perception of reduction of production cost from SSMP outweighs perception of reduction of inputs use requirements (e.g., reduction of working hour at farm, chemical fertilizer use and irrigation water use) and beneficial impact of SSMP on soil properties (e.g., improving soil organic matter, reducing soil salinity and soil erosion). The former was confirmed as key factor influencing short-term and long-term future adoption decision of various SSMP. Farmers are likely to choose SSMP that are conducive to increase net benefit by minimizing production cost. Farmers from areas with different levels of climate stress vulnerability were observed to have different perceptions and behaviour towards SSMP’s future adoption. Organic fertilization, residue incorporation and crop rotation with legume were considered for future adoption by farmers in drought-prone Rajshahi district to combat site-specific problem of drought, while in flood-prone Sunamganj and salinity-affected Khulna districts, residue incorporation were perceived beneficial to address soil salinity and mitigate soil erosion. Therefore, integrating farmers’ perceptions and location-specific solution based on soil properties and climate vulnerability, in policy design is crucial to enhance the dissemination SSMP, with the overall aim of mitigating soil degradation and improving farmer’s livelihoods. • Control Function model with generalized inverse mills ratio (GIMR) was utilized. • Perception of production cost reduction is the key driver of SSMP future adoption. • The influence of perception of input use on adoption varies for different SSMP. • Location-specific climatic and soil issues play vital role in adoption decision. • Policy design should integrate farmers’ perceptions and location-specific solution.