Soybean expansion in the Alagoas’ Sealba region: an analysis of behavioral determinants

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the soybean expansion in the Alagoas’ Sealba region, with a particular focus on the behavioral determinants. Using interviews, document analysis, and the examination of information flows among agents, the results show that early adopters of soybean cultivation in the region possess distinct socio-economic and cognitive characteristics. These characteristics enable them to develop robust risk  management strategies, progressing through stages of experimentation prior to making their final decision. A collective identity fosters cooperative actions among these pioneers, reinforcing and encouraging the decision to adopt soybean cultivation. However, a significant barrier to the broader adoption of soybean production lies in the disparity between the mental models of pioneers and average farmers. This gap presents a substantial constraint on the potential for soybean adoption to scale up and achieve widespread diffusion within the territory.