Land psychological ownership driving adoption of pro-environmental fertilization technology among rice farmers in southern China

Driven by policies promoting environmental compliance, quality improvement, and rural revitalization, the adoption of pro-environmental fertilization technologies (PFTs) has become a critical component of China’s sustainable agricultural strategy. Understanding how land psychological ownership (LPO) influences farmers’ decisions to adopt such technologies is essential for enhancing agri-environmental governance. This study employs a binary logistic regression model to analyze survey data collected in 2022 from 489 rice farmers in southern China, examining their adoption choices regarding PFTs. The results indicate that LPO significantly increases the likelihood of PFT adoption, although this effect is moderated by factors such as land certification, social identity, and farmers’ capabilities. Based on these findings, we propose an integrated policy approach that combines psychological empowerment, institutional support, and capacity-building measures—including land certification, village regulations, and farmer field schools—to facilitate the translation of LPO into sustainable farming practices. By integrating insights from behavioral economics and technology diffusion theory, this study offers a collaborative governance framework that aligns property rights incentives, social recognition, and skill development to address persistent challenges in environmental policy implementation.