Toward sustainable farming: Assessing and validating green skills for agricultural professionals in China

Abstract

As the agricultural sector faces increasing environmental challenges, developing green skills among agricultural professionals is critical for achieving sustainability. This study aims to develop and validate a comprehensive scale for assessing green skills in agriculture, focusing on China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The research draws on human capital and ecological modernization theories to identify key green competencies, including renewable energy, sustainable construction, waste management, water conservation, and environmental conservation. The study employed a mixed-method approach, beginning with the creation of a 23-item scale followed by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to uncover the underlying dimensions of green skills. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was then used to validate the scale and ensure its reliability. Seven key dimensions of green skills were identified, with high factor loadings and strong model fit indices, confirming the scale's robustness. The findings provide a valuable tool for assessing green skills in the agricultural workforce, offering insights for policy development, workforce training, and educational programs to enhance sustainability in agriculture. This research contributes to the theoretical and practical understanding of green skills and supports global efforts to promote sustainable agricultural development.