Determinants of the adoption of agroforestry systems in the Alto Tietê Region: an approach based on the theory of planned behavior

Abstract

The study investigates the perception of farmers from Mogi das Cruzes, Biritiba Mirim, and Salesópolis regarding the adoption of Agroforestry Systems (AFS) with native species of the Atlantic Forest, using the Theory of Planned Behavior. The Atlantic Forest, which concentrates a large portion of Brazil's population and GDP, is a biodiversity hotspot threatened by anthropogenic pressure, with the Green Belt in the Alto Tietê Region (SP) being essential for water capture and agricultural activity. Despite challenges such as a lack of resources and low perceived control, over 50% of the farmers demonstrate a high intention (mean 4.0; mode 5) to adopt or improve AFS. Farmers hold a positive attitude toward the environmental benefits and the enhancement of local products, although they identify challenges regarding profitability. The influence of family and friends, the sense of moral obligation, identification as rural producers, and both economic and ecological motivations reinforce this disposition, highlighting the need for integrated public policies that promote incentives, training, and access to resources for environmental sustainability and socioeconomic development.

Keywords: regional development; agroforestry systems; territorial sustainability.