Extensive but fragmented evidence limits understanding of factors shaping farmers' decisions regarding diversified farming systems: A global evidence map

Abstract Diversified farming systems are increasingly recognised for their potential to enhance the sustainability and resilience of food systems. Yet it remains unclear whether empirical research adequately captures the drivers and constraints shaping farmers' decisions regarding diversified farming systems across stages of decision‐making, influencing factors, practices and contexts. We present a systematic evidence map of 354 regression models from 193 peer‐reviewed studies (1982–2023) examining how multiple factors relate to five decision‐making stages (awareness, interest, adoption, intensity of adoption and dis‐adoption) across 10 diversified farming practices in 45 countries. Factors were classified into 14 categories spanning biophysical, socio‐economic, psychological, institutional and contextual dimensions. To identify geographic gaps, we compared the spatial distribution of decision‐making research with country and subregional suitability for profitable diversified farming systems. The literature overwhelmingly focuses on the adoption stage (82% of studies), with limited evidence on factors influencing farmers' awareness of, interest in or dis‐adoption of diversified practices. Coverage is uneven across practices, factors and regions. Agroforestry dominates the literature (39% of studies), while crop–animal integrated practices are rarely assessed. Models most often include human (95%), natural (77%) and financial capital (71%), with limited representation of political and institutional conditions and psychological factors (e.g. perceptions and social norms). Among the 70 countries with very high suitability for profitable diversification, only 17 (24%) are represented, with particularly limited evidence in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. While the literature provides robust evidence on factors influencing adoption, gaps across other decision‐making stages, institutional and psychological dimensions, complex practices and high‐suitability regions constrain its relevance for policy and investment. More holistic, theory‐informed research capturing decision‐making across stages and contexts is needed to support the implementation and long‐term viability of diversified farming systems. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.