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<p>Unbalanced chemical fertilizer use in rice farming poses significant environmental and economic challenges in Bangladesh. This study investigates farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding fertilizer application, with a focus on behavioral drivers that remain underexplored. It extends the traditional KAP framework by integrating institutional factors (education, training, extension services), social influences (peer networks), and farmer perceptions as distinct antecedents of knowledge and attitude formation. Unlike conventional linear KAP models, this extended framework uses PLS-SEM to quantify direct, indirect, and mediated pathways, capturing the complex socio-institutional context shaping fertilizer behavior. Primary data were collected from 315 randomly selected rice farmers in Mymensingh and Rangpur districts during May–June 2024. Results revealed that only 28% of farmers applied recommended doses, with 37% over-applying and 35% substantially under-applying, leading to nutrient imbalances. The extended KAP model explained 60.6% of variance in fertilizer practices (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.606). Knowledge showed significant positive associations with attitudes (β = 0.586, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01) and practices (β = 0.450, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01). Education (β = 0.230, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01), training (β = 0.610, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01), and extension services (β = 0.752, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01) significantly enhanced knowledge, while peer influence (β = 0.505, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01) and farmer perceptions (β = 0.265, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01) shaped attitudes. Attitudes positively influenced practices (β = 0.431, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01) and mediated the knowledge—practice relationship (indirect effect β = 0.243, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01). Among non-adherent farmers (72%), training and extension effects were substantially stronger (β = 0.833 and β = 0.912, respectively). Farm size (β=-0.106, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01) negatively and income positively (β = 0.093, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.01) influenced practices. This study demonstrates that sustainable fertilizer practices require integrated interventions addressing knowledge gaps, institutional support, and social networks, offering evidence-based insights for targeted policy design.</p>

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Understanding rice farmers’ fertilizer application behavior to advance sustainable agricultural practices in Bangladesh: insights from the extended KAP model

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月12日

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  • Md. Hayder Khan Sujan,
  • Yutao Jiao,
  • Md. Ali Akber,
  • Md Abdur Rouf Sarkar,
  • Andrew M. McKenzie,
  • Mominul Haque Rabin,
  • Monira Sultana,
  • Ammar Abdul Aziz

摘要

Unbalanced chemical fertilizer use in rice farming poses significant environmental and economic challenges in Bangladesh. This study investigates farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding fertilizer application, with a focus on behavioral drivers that remain underexplored. It extends the traditional KAP framework by integrating institutional factors (education, training, extension services), social influences (peer networks), and farmer perceptions as distinct antecedents of knowledge and attitude formation. Unlike conventional linear KAP models, this extended framework uses PLS-SEM to quantify direct, indirect, and mediated pathways, capturing the complex socio-institutional context shaping fertilizer behavior. Primary data were collected from 315 randomly selected rice farmers in Mymensingh and Rangpur districts during May–June 2024. Results revealed that only 28% of farmers applied recommended doses, with 37% over-applying and 35% substantially under-applying, leading to nutrient imbalances. The extended KAP model explained 60.6% of variance in fertilizer practices (R2 = 0.606). Knowledge showed significant positive associations with attitudes (β = 0.586, p < 0.01) and practices (β = 0.450, p < 0.01). Education (β = 0.230, p < 0.01), training (β = 0.610, p < 0.01), and extension services (β = 0.752, p < 0.01) significantly enhanced knowledge, while peer influence (β = 0.505, p < 0.01) and farmer perceptions (β = 0.265, p < 0.01) shaped attitudes. Attitudes positively influenced practices (β = 0.431, p < 0.01) and mediated the knowledge—practice relationship (indirect effect β = 0.243, p < 0.01). Among non-adherent farmers (72%), training and extension effects were substantially stronger (β = 0.833 and β = 0.912, respectively). Farm size (β=-0.106, p < 0.01) negatively and income positively (β = 0.093, p < 0.01) influenced practices. This study demonstrates that sustainable fertilizer practices require integrated interventions addressing knowledge gaps, institutional support, and social networks, offering evidence-based insights for targeted policy design.