Study of Farmer’s Behavior in Recultivation of Abandoned Farmland: Example of the Republic of Buryatia

Despite the looming land scarcity suited for agricultural expansion, farmland abandonment is widespread globally. The recultivation of some abandoned farmlands could unlock untapped potential. Yet, little known about determinants recultivation. To better understand behavioral intentions farmers regarding lands, we concentrated on Buryat Republic in Russia, where and with different ethnicities carry out diverse practices. We conducted 149 face-to-face interviews 2018 filled a structured questionnaire farm’s farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics, perceived corruption, expected use. modeled intention Bayesian networks. networks analysis showed that corruption was considered to be barrier Our study also non-Buryat ethnic young are more likely recultivate land. Abandoned without or low degree afforestation were preferred In sum, our how aspects political trust, farmer’s combination regional locational may shape decisions results provide an important ground assess land-use policies, which should foster lands while preserving ecosystem services global hotspots abandonment, such as Russia