European University of Lefke (EUL) Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies Faculty Members Asst. Prof. Dr. Turgut Alas, Asst. Prof. Dr. İbrahim Kahramanoğlu and Asst. Prof. Dr. Serhat Usanmaz’s article titled “The Reasons Behind The Behaviors of Farmers Regarding the Application of Sustainable Agricultural Techniques”, which they prepared together, was published in the journal of “Journal of Sociology and Social Anthropology”. In their study using Planned Behavior Theory (TPB), academicians examined the factors affecting the behavior of farmers in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus towards sustainable agriculture practices. In the study, a total of 208 farmers were randomly selected and a planned behavior theory (TPB) questionnaire was applied to these farmers through face-to-face interviews.

Alas: A total of 208 farmers were randomly selected and questionnaires were filled in face-to-face interviews.

By transferring information about the study Alas mentioned that; “The study was conducted on the basis of quantitative data collection using planned behavior theory. In the current study, some expressions of the TPB adopted version by Wauters et al were used to determine TPB structures. A pre-test was carried out to provide a better understanding of the questionnaire form by farmers, to identify problems and to reduce measurement error. For the preliminary tests, the number of farmers was determined as 50. The data were then subjected to factor analysis, reliability and validity checks, and then the final form of the questionnaire tools were used to access the structures behind the farmers’ intentions and past behavior. A total of 208 farmers were randomly selected and questionnaires were filled in face to face interviews. Using a 7-point scale to determine the reasons behind the behaviors of farmers regarding the application of sustainable agricultural techniques, in addition to the main purpose, in line with the results obtained, it was also evaluated what can be done to popularize sustainable agricultural techniques in our country.

In the study: It was observed that the two most important factors preventing the realization of knowledge are economic concerns and the question of “whether I will ensure sustainability alone”.

Alas said “The results revealed that farmers’ behavior towards applying sustainable farming techniques is low. “When the effects of attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control, which constitute the three pillars of the planned behavior theory, on the intentions and behaviors of the farmers were examined, interesting results were obtained.” Accordingly, it was determined that our farmers knew about sustainable farming techniques and their benefits, that they were in this direction, but their high intentions did not turn into behavior due to perceived behavioral control. Alas stated that “Perceived behavior control is an important variable that contributes to explaining behavior. That is, perceived behavioral control refers to how people perceive the ability and possibilities of whether or not to implement any behavior (in this example, sustainable agriculture techniques) is under their control. In summary, it has been determined that our farmers know well the sustainable agriculture techniques and their importance, but they think they do not have the knowledge, skills and opportunities to apply them. The results also revealed that our farmers are not aware of the many choices they have in their own hands and that the most important deficiency in this direction is training and consultancy ”.

Finally, Alas said it has been observed that the two most important factors that prevent the realization of knowledge in our producers who have knowledge are economic concerns and the question of “whether I will ensure sustainability alone”. As a result of examining the research findings with all their details and comparing them with other countries, in order to ensure sustainability in agriculture, besides the training of the producers, state policies (certified agriculture) are required to ensure standardization in production, in addition to these, it is necessary to “direct the right” as well as “support the truth”.