Prioritization of potential motivations affecting the adoption decision of a sustainable innovation involved in circular economy at the farm level: Catalonia case study

Abstract

Agricultural and livestock production has among its environmental challenges the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG) and nutrient recovery. To achieve this, it must adopt new technologies and innovative solutions at the farm level that allow it to improve efficiency in the use of resources, as well as the recovery of nutrients within its food production systems, allowing it to reach sustainability. The adoption of innovations, in which circular economy actions are implemented such as the transformation of slurry into biofertilizers LL20 Low-temperature ammonium-stripping using vacuum–pigslurry treatment), allows for reducing GHG emissions and recovery of nutrients by improving efficiency in the use of resources and reducing the negative effect on the environment. Identifying the reasons, that drive farmers to decide to adopt a certain technological solution in which the principles of circularity are applied, contributes to the generation of action strategies that favor environmental conservation. That is why this study aims to identify and prioritize the main motivations that affect the adoption of circular agronomy solutions at the farm level by stakeholders of the productive part of the agri-food value chain including farmers, fertilizers’ industries, agricultural-associated industries, and institutions involved in regulating the production aspects, using a semi-structured questionnaire in which the method of the AHP hierarchical analysis process is applied to a stakeholders focus groups. Obtained results showed that economic motivations receive the greatest importance for the adoption of innovation (43.2%), followed by environmental (32.4%) and social (24.4%). Being the reduction of costs one of the most important factors in the adoption of innovations (10%). Respect for environmental motivations that that innovation reduces the amount of slurry and manure is the main motivator of adoption (6.57%). The results of preferences on different reasons for adoption can help policymakers design specific measures and tools to help livestock producers address environmental challenges and increase their business opportunities.