Paving the way to paddy food security: A multigroup analysis of agricultural education on Circular Economy Adoption. (15th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nordin, Shahrina Md; Zolkepli, Izzal Asnira; Ahmad Rizal, Ammar Redza; Tariq, Rehan; Mannan, Sobia; Ramayah, T.
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 375(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-11-15
• Subjects: Technology adoption -- Innovation diffusion -- Social innovation -- Circular economy -- Agriculture -- Food security -- Multigroup analysis; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134089
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: In order to meet food demand in 2050, the global agricultural output needs to expand by 70%. While increased agricultural output has helped maintain a balance between production and environmental protection, it also posed a substantial challenge to long-term food production and sustainability. Because of various tangible and intangible advantages, the circular economy is the most revolutionary concept in the modern agricultural sector that could turn agricultural methods into more accessible and practical solutions. The impact of agriculture on society and the economy, notably food security, prompted this study to examine the adoption of an innovative circularity strategy among farmers and its links to agricultural education. A quantitative survey of 366 paddy farmers in three agricultural granaries in Perak, Malaysia, was utilized to verify our framework empirically. The findings highlight the significance of relative advantage, compatibility, and observability of technological solutions in farming activities that promote the circular economy's development. We compare farmers with and without formal agricultural education using multigroup analysis. The results supported the notion of agricultural education in extending agricultural technology ideas on circularity. In return adopting a circular economy significantly impacts long-term paddy food security. Hence, it is high time for the agricultural sector to reassess its paddy and rice intervention plans, focusing on improving paddy farmers' adaptive ability to cope with agricultural production. The findings also point to ways to hasten transitions by stimulating potentially effective technologies and ensuring the long-term viability of food security consumption. Highlights: This study explores circular economy in the context of agriculture and food security. It examined the innovation characteristics of the circular economy on accelerating adoption among Malaysian paddy farmers. It emphasizes the significance of formal agricultural education in widening agricultural technological perspectives on circularity. It illustrates opportunities to accelerate transitions by stimulating the use of potentially effective technologies and the sustainability of food security consumption.