Farmers' Perception of Biochar Technology: Investigating Drivers and Barriers of Technology Adoption

In the pursuit of sustainable and environmentally responsible solutions to address agricultural and environmental challenges, biochar technology has gained significant prominence. Biochar is a carbon-rich solid material produced through pyrolysis, a thermochemical process involving the heating of organic matter, particularly agricultural residues, in a low-oxygen environment. This process yields three main products: biochar, bio-oil, and syngas. The distinguishing feature of biochar is its high carbon content and stable structure, which endows it with remarkable capabilities for water retention, nutrient absorption, and cation exchange. Furthermore, biochar degrades very slowly in soil, making it an important tool for carbon sequestration to mitigate rising carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere. Several studies have proposed the use of biochar to achieve significant levels of carbon sequestration. Beyond the agronomical benefits recognized by academic research since the 2000s, syngas and bio-oil, the co-products of pyrolysis, present alternatives for renewable energy generation. Despite the technical complexities and variations in energy yields through pyrolysis posing challenges to widespread development, biochar technology remains promising for enhancing soil fertility, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting sustainable agriculture and renewable energy generation. Moreover, adopting biochar technology aligns with circular economy principles, where organic waste materials serve as a valuable feedstock for energy generation, contributing to both carbon sequestration and sustainable waste management. To comprehensively investigate the determinants of technology acceptance in the context of biochar technology, this research introduces an extended framework of the Technology Acceptance Model 2 (TAM-2). The TAM model, proposed by Davis in 1989, suggests that Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Perceived Ease of Use (PEU) influence the behavioral intention to adopt a specific technology. Building upon this foundation, Venkatesh and Davis' TAM-2 incorporates additional theoretical constructs, spanning social influence processes (subjective norm, voluntariness, and image) and cognitive instrumental processes (job relevance, output quality, result demonstrability, and perceived ease of use). In this research, an extended version of the TAM-2 model is proposed, with the dependent variable Intention to Adoption (INT) elucidating the cognitive process behind the behavioral intention to adopt biochar technology. Among TAM-2's original variables, four new external factors are introduced. Perception of External Control (PEC) examines farmers' recognition of external instruments such as public policies and incentives. Price Value (PV) investigates the perceived trade-off between benefits and costs related to the technology. Climate Change Awareness (CCA) and willingness towards Renewable Energy Production (REP) of respondents were also considered influential to the intention to adopt. Data collection involved administering a questionnaire through telephonic interviews targeting agricultural entrepreneurs and workers in northern Italy. A telephonic survey was preferred as a more feasible option compared to face-to-face or online data collection. A pilot test with 30 interviews was conducted to refine the model, followed by a second phase with 120 interviews forming the dataset for applying the extended TAM-2 framework. The study aims to identify the main factors driving or impeding the acceptance of biochar technology and explore the influence of demographic, contextual, and other factors on technology acceptance. The extended TAM-2 model is anticipated to be suitable for investigating agricultural technology innovations, revealing a low level of knowledge about biochar technology but greater interest among those already familiar with it. This aligns with previous findings suggesting that higher biochar knowledge correlates with increased adoption interest. The study underscores the crucial role of information dissemination through public policies and incentives. It also assesses the impact of external factors such as PEC, PV, CCA, and REP on the intention to adopt biochar. Economic value perception, external policies, climate change awareness, and renewable energy production are expected to influence adoption intentions among agricultural entrepreneurs significantly. In conclusion, this research provides meaningful contributions to understanding the technology acceptance dynamics of biochar. Employing an extended TAM-2 framework, it offers insights into the variables influencing agricultural entrepreneurs' intention to adopt biochar technology. These insights are valuable for policymakers, agricultural advisors, and technology developers in formulating strategies to foster sustainable agricultural practices.