This study applied the multi-group structural equation modeling technique to identify differences in farmer motivations to adopting agroforestry practices in the Mt. Elgon region of Uganda. Data were collected from interviews with 400 smallholder coffee farmers belonging to four categories which included: (1) those actively participating in an Australian-funded trees for food security (T4FS) project from phase 1 (2014); (2) farmers neighbouring those actively participating in the T4FS project; (3) farmers actively participating in the T4FS project from phase 2 (2017) and; (4) farmers living distant and unaware of the T4FS project. We used the theory of planned behaviour framework to assess the adoption behaviour of these farmer categories resulting from project interventions. About 40% of the variation in farmer motivation to integrate trees in their coffee plantations was explained by the significant variables of ‘attitude’ and ‘perceived behavioural control’ among farmers actively participating in the T4FS project from phase 1. However, the neighbors of participating farmers and farmers who had never interacted with the project were only motivated by ‘attitude’ and ‘social norms’ respectively. Farmer motivation resulting from social pressure was strongest among farmers who had never interacted with the project, and in the absence of project interventions, rely on existing social structures to drive change in their community. Farmers’ perceived behavioural control to overcome tree planting barriers and their attitude to the economic benefits of shaded coffee were significantly different among the four farmer categories (p < 0.05). The findings indicate that psychological factors are key drivers to the farmers’ internal decision-making process in agroforestry technology adoption and can be context-specific. The adoption behaviour of smallholder farmers is mainly shaped by existing community social norms and beliefs that tend to promote knowledge exchange, as opposed to the conventional knowledge transfer extension approaches. Norms are therefore an inherent part of social systems and can create distinct farming practices, habits and standards within a social group. Researchers and extension agents can act upon these identified positive attitudes, norms and perceived behavioural controls to guarantee adoption and sustainability of agricultural technologies.

中文翻译：

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使用多组结构方程建模方法评估小农采用农林业的动机

本研究应用多组结构方程建模技术来确定农民在山上采用农林业实践的动机差异。乌干达埃尔贡地区。数据来自对四类 400 名咖啡小农的访谈，其中包括：(1) 积极参与澳大利亚资助的粮食安全树木 (T4FS) 项目的第一阶段（2014 年）；（2）与积极参与T4FS项目的农民相邻；(3) 从第二阶段（2017 年）开始积极参与 T4FS 项目的农民；(4) 居住遥远且不知道 T4FS 项目的农民。我们使用计划行为理论框架来评估项目干预导致的这些农民类别的采用行为。从第一阶段开始积极参与 T4FS 项目的农民的“态度”和“感知行为控制”的显着变量可以解释农民在咖啡种植园种植树木的动机变化的 40%。农民和从未接触过该项目的农民分别只受到“态度”和“社会规范”的影响。在从未参与过项目的农民中，社会压力导致的农民动机最强，在没有项目干预的情况下，依靠现有的社会结构来推动社区的变革。农民克服植树障碍的行为控制感知以及他们对遮荫咖啡的经济效益的态度在四个农民类别之间存在显着差异（p < 0.05）。研究结果表明，心理因素是农民采用农林业技术的内部决策过程的关键驱动因素，并且可能因具体情况而异。小农的采用行为主要受现有社区社会规范和信仰的影响，这些规范和信仰倾向于促进知识交流，而不是传统的知识转移推广方法。因此，规范是社会系统的固有组成部分，可以在社会群体内创造独特的耕作方式、习惯和标准。研究人员和推广人员可以根据这些确定的积极态度采取行动，