Resumo

The pursuit of more sustainable agriculture that is resilient to environmental challenges has prompted governments and companies to invest in technologies and techniques that protect the environment. Regenerative agriculture, aimed at improving soil quality, promoting biodiversity, capturing carbon, and ensuring animal and human welfare, is a key model in this effort. Bioinputs, defined by the Brazilian government, used to reduce production costs and promote sustainability. However, barriers and limitations still affect the adoption of these technologies.

The research problem is to identify the motivations and barriers influencing grain farmers in the Brazilian Cerrado to adopt or not adopt bioinputs. The objective is to investigate these factors by analyzing the profiles of the producers, the sources of information they rely on, and the specific limitations they face. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of what drives or hinders the adoption of bioinputs, thereby helping to develop strategies to overcome these barriers and promote sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

The study explores the motivations and barriers to adopting technologies in regenerative agriculture. It references various models and theories of technology adoption, including the diffusion of innovation, economic constraints, and adopter perceptions. Key factors influencing adoption include education, property size, access to credit, rural extension services, and membership in organizations. Social learning and consumer market support also play significant roles. The adoption of bioinputs is highlighted as a sustainable alternative, with the bioinput market in Brazil.

Structured questionnaire with closed questions on a 5-level Likert scale was created, addressing socioeconomic profiles, knowledge of bioinputs, motivations, and barriers. The questionnaire was distributed online and in print, yielding 122 valid responses. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, binomial logistic regression to identify factors affecting bioinput adoption, and comparison between adopters and non-adopters using Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests .

The results and discussion section presents a profile of the grain producers in the Brazilian Cerrado, revealing that most are male (91%) and primarily produce soybeans (91%). Of the 122 respondents, 73% were familiar with bioinputs, and 60% of these use them. Binomial logistic regression identified that non-family farmers are 59 times more likely to adopt bioinputs. Barriers to adoption include lack of technical assistance, knowledge, and specific tax incentives. Effective communication channels, such as events and educational institutions, positively influence bioinput adoption.

Non-family farmers are the most likely adopters of bioinputs, highlighting the need for investment in technical assistance to support decision-making and ongoing use of biological products. While this study focused on grain producers in the Brazilian Cerrado, its findings can guide bioinput market strategies in other regions. Increasing awareness and understanding of bioinputs among rural producers is essential, necessitating well-trained technical assistance and consulting services.

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