Table 2 Descriptive statistics of the dependent variable and behavioural factors

Dependent variable: adoption stage

Pre-contemplation (% of respondents)

N/A

Contemplation (% of respondents)

N/A

Action and Maintenance (% of respondents)

N/A

Independent variables:

I. Farmers’ value in farming and intercropping knowledge

LandConsevValue (Perceived importance of environmental issues in farming)

Keep farming land for future generations*

0.75

Improving soil condition*

0.76

Work and live in nice surroundings*

0.72

Farming in a pro-environmental way*

0.77

InstrumentalValue

Supporting the family from farm income*

1.14

Expanding the farm business*

1.09

Maximizing profits from farming: important value*

0.97

Meeting challenges from farming*

1.06

Intercropping knowledge (self-reported)

Optimal timing of harvest*

1.01

Crop variety performance*

1.06

Crop management*

1.12

Characteristics of crop varieties*

1.10

II. Perceived Benefit of intercropping

EnviBenefit (Perceived environmental benefits)

Intercropping helps farmers adapt to climate change better*

0.80

Intercropping is environmentally friendly*

0.82

Intercropping buffers crop failure from changing climate*

0.80

Intercropping increases agroecosystem biodiversity*

0.89

FinanceBenefit (Perceived financial benefits)

Intercropping reduces fertilizer and pesticide cost*

0.82

Intercropping creates a higher profit*

0.82

Intercropping makes the land fully used in a growing season*

0.80

Intercropping increases crop yield*

0.82

III. Perception of management, technical, market issues

ApplyEase (Perceive ease in implementing intercropping)

1.04

MixedSeedAnimal (Perceived ability of using mixed seed yield as livestock fed)

1.40

SeedSeparationCost (Perceived cost of mixed seed separation)

1.08

MarketIssues (Perception of market issues)

Demand for mixed seed yield*

1.00

Price for mixed seed yield*

0.96

The availability of seed separation technology*

1.11