Behavioral and innovation drivers of farmers’ support for forest policy at the forest agriculture interface

Sustainable forest management in agro-ecological landscapes requires policies that are both innovative and socially inclusive. This study investigates the behavioral and perceptual drivers of farmers' support for participatory forest governance at the forest-agriculture interface of the Zagros region, western Iran. By integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) framework, the research examines how farmers' perceptions of policy innovation properties influence their attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intentions to support forest policy. Data were gathered from 385 rural households using a structured questionnaire and analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The integrated model explained 63% of the variance in behavioral intention, demonstrating substantial predictive power. Compatibility, relative advantages, and observability emerged as the strongest predictors of farmers' support, while complexity negatively affected intention. The results highlight that policy acceptance depends on both psychological motivation and perceived innovation attributes. These findings emphasize the need for participatory, context-sensitive forest governance that aligns with local livelihood systems, enhances transparency, and simplifies administrative procedures. The study contributes to advancing innovation-driven approaches to forest policy, offering actionable insights for climate-resilient and community-based ecosystem management.