Analysis of the Soil Conservation Behavior of Summer Crop Producers in Dashtroom Dehestan, Boyer-Ahmad County: The Application of Protection Motivation Theory

Soil degradation is one of the basic challenges in the agricultural development, whose prevention needs an improvement in soil conservation behavior of farmers. In this regard, in present study, an extended version of protection motivation theory was employed to analyze the soil conservation behavior of farmers who cultivate summer-crops in Dashtroom Dehestan. This research used survey method to collect data. Statistical population included summer crop growers in Boyer-Ahmad County (N=197). Out of them, 120 cases were selected as sample using Krejcie and Morgan’s Table. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire, whose validity was confirmed by a panel of experts as well as practitioners. Furthermore, the reliability research tool was assessed in a pilot study using Cronbach's alpha coefficients (0.65-0.93). Results revealed that summer crop growers had moderate behavior regarding soil conservation. Estimating the model fit indices of the extended protection motivation model by partial least square analysis showed that the NFI and SRMR criteria were at a good level and the components of protection motivation theory could explain 18% of the changes in farmers’ soil conservation behavior. It should be mentioned that according to the results, “perceived severity” made a significant contribution to the total variance explanation. Therefore, it is recommended that farmers be informed about the consequences of negligence of soil conservation by means of visual demonstrations and extension programs.