Farmers' Willingness to Participate in Forest Management for Carbon Sequestration on the Sloping Land Conservation Program in China

HIGHLIGHTS The theory of planned behavior (TPB) was used to select influencing factors on farmers' willingness to participate in Forest Management for Carbon Sequestration (FMCS) on the Sloping Land Conservation Program (SLCP) enrolled land. Farmers' willingness to participate in FMCS on the SLCP land is not high. Evaluation of result, result belief, normative belief, and motivation to comply all significantly affect farmers' participation willingness. The participation willingness of farmers varies between different genders and ages. A policy path to supply carbon sequestration from forest management is provided. SUMMARY Forest Management for Carbon Sequestration (FMCS) on the Sloping Land Conservation Program (SLCP) helps to promote afforestation, improve the economic wellbeing of small farmers, and helps them to cope with climate change. Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this paper examines farmers' willingness to participate from five dimensions: evaluation of result, result belief, normative belief, motivation to comply, and control belief. Results show that 1) farmers' willingness to participate in FMCS on the SLCP land is not high; 2) evaluation of result, result belief, normative belief, and motivation to comply all significantly affect farmers' participation willingness; and 3) the participation willingness of farmers varies between different genders and ages. This study provides a decision-making basis for the implementation of FMCS in China. Results also have implications for the adoption of FMCS programs in other developing countries.