A study of factors influencing the adoption of sustainable agriculture among the beet growers in South Khorasan

Abstract This study is carried out to identify those factors that affect the adoption of sustainable agriculture among sugar beet growers in South Khorasan. Its statistical society constituted of beet growers in South Khorasan that are over 6220 people, which between them sample of 200 people have been studied by stratified random sampling method. The field data was collected using a researcher made questionnaire. This study data were analyzed using spss software and in two descriptive and inferential parts. Findings from descriptive analyzes showed that the adoption of sustainable agriculture in this region is in an average level. In addition, the findings of the correlation analysis showed that there is a significant and positive relationship between education level, type of farming systems, type of ownership, type of agriculture, type of used seed, the total amount of cultivated land, land under cultivation of sugar beet, social participation, yield and income, source of income other than agriculture, the promoters calls, resolved crops issues, attending training classes - promotion, knowledge, attitude and adoption of sustainable agriculture, and there is a significant and negative relationship between age, experience in agriculture and adoption of sustainable agriculture. Regression analysis also showed that four variables: attitudes, knowledge, age, and the total amount of cultivated land is explained about 93/5% of the variability of adoption dependent variable.