In an era where environmental protection is paramount, understanding farmers’ attitudes towards sustainable practices is crucial. Our recent research highlighted Sicilian farmers’ intentions to adopt organic pest management in tomato and zucchini cultivation, threatened by pests Tuta absoluta and Bemisia tabaci. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior model, we found that the farmers’ attitudes were the most influential factor in their willingness to adopt organic methods. Social norms and perceived control over the practice also played significant roles. Interestingly, education levels positively predicted adoption, while older farmers showed more resistance. These findings underscore the need for robust informational campaigns about the benefits of organic pest management and targeted policy-making to provide farmers with better control over these practices. This dual approach will help us progress towards our collective goal: sustainable farming for a healthier planet.

The study is now online on Journal of Environmental Planning and Management,  is a leading international forum for scholarly and accessible papers on all aspects of environmental planning and management.

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