Enhancing the Adoption Intensity of Sustainable Land Management Practices in Southeast Nigeria: The Role of Education and Mediating Factors of Trust and Belief

ABSTRACT The relationship between farmers' education and the adoption of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices remains unclear in the literature. Additionally, research on the mechanisms underlying this relationship remains limited. This study investigates how farmers' education influences SLM adoption intensity, focusing on mediating factors of trust in extension agents' (EAs') advice, risk aversion, and positive belief in SLM practices. Data from 480 farmers in southeast Nigeria were analyzed using multivariable regression analyzes and Baron and Kenny's mediation approach. We report two key findings: (1) education significantly increases SLM adoption intensity ( p < 0.05). A threshold effect is observed at the adoption of three or more practices ( p < 0.1), indicating that higher education levels are associated with a greater likelihood of adopting multiple SLM practices; (2) farmers' trust in EAs' advice and positive belief in SLM practices mediate the relationship between education and SLM adoption intensity ( p < 0.05), highlighting the psychological mechanisms underlying this relationship. Overall, this study provides insights to guide policies for promoting SLM practices among rural farmers.