Factors Influencing the Environmental Behavior of Farmers: A Case Study in Greenhouse Cucumber Production Systems

The primary purpose of the study was to determine the factors affecting the environmental behavior of farmers cucumber production systems of Tehran, Iran. The research framework was developed based on the farm health model for assessing the environmental behaviors of farmers in conversation with the planned behavior model for exploring the factors influencing on their environmental behavior. A survey with a sample of 124 operators selected by clustering sampling was undertaken in Tehran province. Findings revealed that the growers of cucumber greenhouse implemented the measures of integrated soil, plant nutrient, and pest management. Stepwise regression analysis was used to determine the influence of exogenous factors, farm and farmer characteristics upon the environmental behavior of 124 cucumber growers. Analyses revealed that environmental behaviors were influenced by external factors (extension services) as well as the age, mechanization level, social participation; and the feasibility of technologies. However, impacts of farmer characteristics including attitude and economic condition on EB of cucumbers growers were significant respectively. Finally, consideration of these variables as determinant factors in a ‘targeted policy approach’ involving two suggestions is recommended to promote the environmental behavior of farmers.