Acceptance Intention and Behavioral Response to Soil-Testing Formula Fertilization Technology: An Empirical Study of Agricultural Land in Shaanxi Province

Abstract

Soil-testing formula fertilization technology is a powerful tool for preserving arable land and ensuring food security. The purpose of this study was to investigate farmers’ acceptance intentions and behavioral responses to soil-testing formula fertilization technology. Based on the theory of planned behavior, this paper adopts the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method, with 295 farmers in the high-standard farmland project area of Shaanxi Province as samples. The research results show that attitude (ATT), subjective norms (SN), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) all had a significant positive influence on farmers’ behavioral intentions. The order of impact effects from large to small is ATT > SN > PBC. The ecological rationality of farmers, communication and demonstration between neighbors, and effective technical training, as well as consulting and guidance services, can better enhance farmers’ intentions to apply soil-testing formula fertilization technology. This study could help to provide references for policymaking to improve the adoption of soil-testing formula fertilization technology.