Understanding Eenvironmental Behavior of Farmers in Ramshir Region towards Nitrogen Fertilizer Application and Its determinant Factors

Incorrect use of chemical fertilizers has had significant consequences on the quality of the environment as well as human welfare. Therefore, limiting its release may be achieved by improving fertilizer management. In this regard, farmers, as the main actors and decision makers in the agricultural sector, will have the task of limiting the use of nitrogen fertilizer and thereby reducing its effects. Therefore, understanding farmers' actions is essential to identify the types of policies that can effectively promote social and technological change. Because developing behavior and promoting the knowledge of environmentalists is an important issue for policymakers, advocates of green businesses and other stakeholders interested in adopting and enhancing environmental protection behavior. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the behavior of farmers in Ramshir region regarding nitrogen fertilizer application and its determinants factors. To achieve the research goal, two theories of normative activation and environmental behavior prediction were used. The data were collected through survey technique using a structured questionnaire. Validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by faculty members of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan. Reliability of questionnaire was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha test. The sampling method was based on systematic random sampling. Based on the Kerjesi and Morgan table, a sample of 200 farmers was selected among farmers who had received fertilizer from Ramshir Agricultural Jihad Management Organization in year 2018- 2019. The results of the study showed that in the normative activation theory, effectiveness, responsibility, awareness of consequences and subjective norms explain ethical norm variable and the behavior of farmers is significantly explained by the ethical norm variable. In the environmental behavior prediction theory, the variable of intentions was explained by awareness of action strategies and personality factors. Based on the results of the research, suggestions were presented to improve the implementation of the policies in order to better use nitrogen fertilizers.