Research on World Agricultural Economy

Intention to Participate in the Circular Economy Model: A Case Study of Rice Farmers in Hau Giang, Vietnam

Le Tran Minh Nhat

Faculty of Business Administration and Marketing, Nam Can Tho University, Can Tho City 900000, Vietnam

Dao Duy Huan

Faculty of Business Administration and Marketing, Nam Can Tho University, Can Tho City 900000, Vietnam

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36956/rwae.v7i2.2775

Received: 23 September 2025 | Revised: 7 November 2025 | Accepted: 17 November 2025 | Published Online: 8 May 2026

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Abstract

The circular economy is emerging as a vital strategic model to minimize environmental impacts and enhance agricultural production efficiency in Vietnam. In the rice production sector—a core industry in Hau Giang—the shift toward a circular economy has become an urgent priority for sustainable development. This study employs the Theory of Planned Behavior and incorporates an additional factor, Technical and Output Support (TOS), to better capture the substantive support provided by professional agencies, local authorities, and consumer markets. This contextualized factor addresses a notable gap overlooked in previous research. Survey data from 160 rice-farming households in Hau Giang were analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis and Ordinary Least Squares regression. The findings indicate that attitude, perceived economic benefits, environmental concern, and technical and output support positively influence the intention to participate in the circular economy model, while subjective norms do not show statistically significant effects. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that TOS plays a particularly critical role in shaping farmers’ confidence in adopting new production practices, especially in contexts where market volatility and resource constraints persist. The incorporation of this factor improves the explanatory power of the TPB framework within agricultural settings. These results offer important empirical insights for policy formulation and the design of intervention programs aimed at advancing the circular economy model in rice production in Hau Giang and the broader Mekong Delta region.

Keywords: Circular Economy; Theory of Planned Behavior; Rice Production; Hau Giang; Mekong Delta

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