A social perspective on soil functions and quality improvement: Romanian farmers’ perceptions

Abstract Agriculture is a key player in the conservation of natural resources and cultural landscapes and one of the most prominent interfaces between human activity and soil. The present paper reveals a social perspective on soil functions. In this context, it was assumed that perceptions of soil functions could transform themselves into components of agro-ecosystems and influence the whole decision-making process. Therefore, it is indispensable to look at farmers when approaching soil functions. The objective of this study was twofold. Firstly, Romanian farmers’ perception of the importance of soil functions was investigated. Secondly, it was revealed how well farmers’ perception of soil functions importance and socio-economic variables could predict the “Use of compost”. Soil functions were selected based on an extensive literature review. Farmers’ perceptions of soil functions and the use of compost as a measure taken to improve soil productivity were studied through a questionnaire applied to a sample of 278 Romanian farmers randomly selected from sixteen villages. Binary logistic regression revealed that the perceived importance of two soil functions could predict the use of compost – “Water quantity regulation” and “Water quality maintenance and enhancement”. The study concluded that strengthening the importance of the “Water quantity regulation” function in farmers’ minds can stimulate the use of compost. It was also inferred that because younger farmers are more prone to composting, they will be more receptive to marketing actions related to compost use, such as the acquisitions of materials and instruments useful for compost production and use. In a context where a real dialogue to elaborate well-grounded environmental policies is still elusive because of differences between farmers and policy-makers’ views, investigation of farmers’ perceptions can bring a significant contribution towards a bottom-up approach for sustainable soil management.