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Sense of Intergenerational Commitment of Farmers in Shaping Intentions to Adopt Conservation Agriculture: Bridging Theory of Planned Behaviour and Socio‐Economic Theories of Justice

Author

Listed:
  • Bazyli Czyżewski
  • Michał Borychowski
  • Aleksander Grzelak
  • Anna Matuszczak
  • Agnieszka Sapa
  • Eugenia Lucasenco

Abstract

Sense of intergenerational commitment (SIC) is a key concept in the sustainable agriculture paradigm. However, a theoretical framework for integrating SIC into models describing farmers' decision‐making is still lacking. Moldovan farmers have rarely been involved in international research, so it is not widely known that they are facing progressive soil degradation for which conservation agriculture (CA) appears to be an appropriate solution. The main objective is to estimate the influence of SIC on the intention to adopt CA practises by family farms specialised in cereals in Moldova. We examine the drivers of farmers' behavioural intentions within the framework of the extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB), incorporating the assertions of theories of justice. The analysis was conducted using structural equation modelling and simultaneous confirmatory factor analysis based on the semi‐structured face‐to‐face questionnaires done in 2023. Our study is embedded in the SDGs 12 and 13 as it integrates long‐term socio‐economic continuity with pro‐environmental attitudes within a farm. The article provides both theoretical and practical contributions. The results not only show that intergenerational commitments are the most important determinants of farmers' behaviour in the estimated model, providing a baseline for policy recommendations, but also that the integration of the SIC into the TPB is a powerful extension of this theory in the agricultural context. The results demonstrate that SIC is the underestimated part of the sustainable development paradigm, suggesting that agricultural policies should pay more attention to the intergenerational continuity of family farms by introducing more schemes that support this issue.

Suggested Citation

  • Bazyli Czyżewski & Michał Borychowski & Aleksander Grzelak & Anna Matuszczak & Agnieszka Sapa & Eugenia Lucasenco, 2025. "Sense of Intergenerational Commitment of Farmers in Shaping Intentions to Adopt Conservation Agriculture: Bridging Theory of Planned Behaviour and Socio‐Economic Theories of Justice," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(S1), pages 836-853, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:33:y:2025:i:s1:p:836-853
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.70037
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    References listed on IDEAS

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