Factors influencing the progressive adoption of integrated rice-fish systems by farmers and its relapse

CONTEXT: Integrated farming systems provide high protein and energy yields per unit of land and increase farm income, particularly for smallholder farmers in land-scarce areas. However, the adoption rate by farmers is low, and some farmers discontinue after adoption (relapse). OBJECTIVE: We have three objectives, first, to subdivide the adoption stages of farmers and explore the influencing factors that affect each stage. Second to examine the factors that lead farmers to relapse. Third to test the similarity between these factors. METHODS: In this study, we applied a modified transtheoretical model of behavioral change combined with key concepts from the theory of planned behavior to data collected from farmers adopting an integrated rice-fish system in Sanjiang County, China. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We refined the adoption process into four progressive behavioral stages (pre- contemplation, contemplation, pre-maintenance, and maintenance) and an additional unexpected stage (relapse). As the stages progressed, the effect of family farm income transitioned from negative to positive. In all stages, farmers with stronger perceived behavioral control over finance and technology were more likely to change to more advanced stages. Factors such as attitude toward economic benefits, subjective norms, government and policy evaluations, and family laborers is related to farmers' relapse. We also demonstrated that the factors incentivizing farmers to progress to more advanced behavioral stages were not the same as those leading to relapse. Thus, policymakers must consider and address these inconsistencies. SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides new insights into integrated farming adoption and relapse and has implications for designing intervention policies for farmers at different behavioral stages.