Using the KAP model to support legal policy development for circular economy practices in agriculture: A case study from Northern Vietnam

This study examines farmers? Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices regarding legal frameworks for circular economy practices in agriculture in northern Vietnam. Based on a cross-sectional survey of 365 farmers, the research applies the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice approach to assess how legal awareness and perceived regulatory barriers influence the adoption of circular agricultural practices. Exploratory Factor Analysis and Generalized Linear Models are used to analyze relationships among demographic characteristics, awareness, attitudes, and behavioral intentions. The findings reveal a clear gap between farmers? general understanding of circular economy principles and their knowledge of specific legal provisions, with legal and policy-related constraints exerting a negative impact on adoption behaviors. Younger farmers and those with moderate levels of farming experience show greater willingness to continue circular practices, while positive attitudes significantly enhanced participation in training and peer promotion. At the policy level, the results indicate that existing legal arrangements for circular economy practices in agriculture remain fragmented, characterized by dispersed regulations, limited enforcement mechanisms, and insufficient policy communication. This fragmentation limits farmers? ability to translate positive attitudes into sustained practice. The study highlights the need for an integrated and agriculture-specific policy framework, supported by binding technical standards, strengthened monitoring and enforcement, and complementary market-based instruments to facilitate the transition toward more sustainable agricultural systems in Vietnam.