Farmer’s Adoption of TTT as an Agroecotech for Control of Storage Pests – A Sustainable Strategy to Achieve the Green Deal Aims and Reduce Carbon Footprints. Case Study: Dried Fig Farmers and Processors in Aydin, Turkey

This study investigates the factors influencing farmers’ adoption of Thermal Treatment Technology (TTT) as an agro-ecological innovation aimed at reducing chemical use in agriculture. A multinomial logistic regression model was employed to analyze data from 170 valid respondents, examining the impact of social and economic variables on adoption behavior. The results reveal that access to educational resources, financial and marketing support, farm size, and land ownership significantly increase the likelihood of adopting TTT. Conversely, older farmers are less likely to adopt this technology, which suggests generational differences in openness to innovation. Model fit statistics, including Nagelkerke R² = 0.587 and McFadden R² = 0.294, indicate a moderate to strong explanatory power. These findings highlight the importance of institutional support and structural conditions in promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The study provides practical implications for policymakers and extension services aiming to accelerate the diffusion of eco-friendly technologies among farmers.