A Longitudinal Analysis Study on the Effects of Occupation and Income on Consumer Behavioral Intentions in Food and Agriculture Education

Abstract

This study examines the influence of Food and Agricultural Education (FAE) on consumer knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions, with a specific focus on the socio-economic factors of occupation and income. Growing concerns over food safety, dietary health, and environmental sustainability, particularly under the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), have heightened the importance of understanding how education can shape consumer decision-making and sustainable consumption patterns. A structured questionnaire was designed with four sections: demographic information, knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions, measured using a five-point Likert scale. Employing a longitudinal research design, data were initially collected through an online survey, yielding 300 valid responses, and subsequently expanded to 552 valid responses. Statistical analyses, including t-tests, ANOVA, and Scheffé post-hoc tests, were conducted to evaluate differences across socio-demographic groups and to test five hypotheses (H1–H5) related to the impact of FAE. The results demonstrated that FAE significantly enhanced consumer knowledge of food production, sustainable systems, and agricultural practices, confirming H1–H3. Consumers developed more positive attitudes toward sustainable agriculture, organic products, and local food consumption, and expressed stronger intentions to support sustainable purchasing behaviors. The analysis further revealed that occupation and income were significantly associated with variations in consumer responses, supporting Hypotheses 4 and 5. Occupation was particularly influential in shaping behavioral intentions, while income played a stronger role in attitudinal differences. The longitudinal comparison between the 300- and 552-sample datasets confirmed the robustness and stability of the findings, underscoring the longterm impact of FAE on consumer behavior. These findings reinforce the relevance of theoretical models such as the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice (KAP) framework and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in explaining how education influences consumer decision-making. Overall, this study provides empirical evidence that FAE plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable consumption and food safety, highlighting the need to tailor educational strategies to socio-economic and gender differences. This offers practical implications for policymakers, educators, and agricultural stakeholders committed to advancing sustainable food systems and a low-carbon future.