Determining Economic and Social Factors in the Adoption of Cover Crops Under Mower Control in Olive Groves

The negative externalities associated with erosion significantly damage agroecosystems. This article intends to identify the main factors that affect the adoption of cover crops under mower control (CCMC) in olive groves in Andalusia (Spain) using variance structural equation modeling (SEM) by partial least squares (PLS). The results show that olive orchard profitability, olive grower adaptation, prior adoption of soil conservation practices, and social capital determine the adoption of the aforementioned technique. Similarly, this article also sheds light on the moderating role played by olive grove size, strengthening the relationship between profitability and adoption for large-scale farms and membership of farmers’ organizations and adoption for small-scale ones.