Agroforestry adoption among Iranian farmers: A green link between food security and ecological health

• Using the UTAUT model in the context of agroforestry acceptance • Developing the UTAUT model by adding variables of perceived risk and environmental concern • Using structural equation modeling for data analysis Agroforestry represents a sustainable strategy for mitigating deforestation, lowering CO₂ emissions, and conserving biodiversity. By combining trees with crop cultivation, it increases land productivity, strengthens food security, and supports rural livelihoods, making it an essential component of sustainable development. However, its adoption in Iran remains limited despite these benefits. This study explores the determinants of agroforestry adoption among local farming communities. The research framework was based on the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), enriched with two additional constructs: Perceived Risk (PR) and Environmental Concern (EC). The target population included all farmers in Bavi County, Khuzestan Province, southwestern Iran. The findings indicated that the extended UTAUT explained 73.2% of the variance in farmers’ adoption intentions, reflecting a 16.3% improvement compared to the original UTAUT. Results further confirmed that Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, Facilitating Conditions, PR, and EC significantly shaped farmers’ intention to adopt agroforestry. These insights contribute to theoretical advancement while providing practical guidance for policymakers aiming to foster sustainable agricultural systems.