The Role of Technical Knowledge and Technology Accessibility in Explaining Grain Farmers’ Soil Conservation Behavior: The Use of Technology Acceptance Model

Soil degradation caused by conventional agriculture is a growing problem on grain farms in the Bagherabad district of Mahallat County. This study sought to investigate grain farmers᾽ soil conservation behavior (SCB) based on an extended technology acceptance model (TAM). A structural equation modeling technique was used to test this extended TAM based on the survey collected data from 243 grain farmers. Findings revealed that farmers poorly used soil conservation practices (SCPs). However, among SCPs, grain farmers have used organic manuring the most and cover cropping the least on their farms. The reason for this is they had more knowledge about organic manuring and also more access to organic manures. This study also supported the indirect effect of technical knowledge (TK) and Technology Accessibility (TA) on Perceived Usefulness (PU) by affecting Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU) directly. In addition, the present study pointed out that intention was the most important factor explaining SCB, and PEOU was the most important factor influencing intention. Therefore, to improve SCB, improving farmers᾽ perceived ease of use (PEOU) should be considered through facilitating TA along with enhancing TK. In this regard, along with providing extension services, policymakers are advised to facilitate farmers’ access to appropriate soil conservation (SC) technologies and inputs and also increase the purchasing power of farmers through granting cheap credit facilities and supplying technologies at affordable prices.