Determinants of farmers’ decision-making behavior for black soil protection in Northeast China—A case of Jilin Province*

Abstract

Northeast black soil area is one of the world’s four major pieces of black soil area, which has a pivotal position in ensuring national food security. But in recent years it degraded, it is urgent to protect it. Farmers are the main body directly involved in black soil protection, and farmers’ response, that is, perceived status, directly reflects their recognition, acceptance and active cooperation with black soil protection, which is an important factor affecting their willingness to protect black soil. Therefore, based on the survey data of 486 farmers in black soil area of Jilin Province, this study studied farmers’ intention choice and behavior response based on the theory of planned behavior.The empirical results showed that the farmers’ black soil protection behavior followed the logic of Farmer’s Cognition-Behavioral Intention-Behavioral and farmers’ protection behavior response is determined by their behavior intention, behavior attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. Specifically, in the Perceived Behavioral Control→Behavioral Intention→Behavior path, there were both significant direct and indirect effects between variables, while in the Attitude toward Behavior→Behavioral Intention→Behavior path there were only significant indirect effects. There are significant correlations among farmers’ behavioral attitudes, subjective norms, and perceptual behavioral control. In order to protect the black soil successfully, the farmers’ willingness and income should be paid enough attention to and the central and local governments should publicize and train rural carders, farmers and other stakeholders.