ISLAMIC PROPHETIC TEACHINGS: PAVING THE WAY FOR OLIVE SUSTAINABILITY IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Islamic principles aim to build a balanced, just economic system that supports sustainable development and aligns with Islamic values, honoring agricultural heritage and fostering regional sustainability. An adoption model is developed by integrating core elements from the Theory of Planned Behavior, and Technology Acceptance Model, and analyzed through structural equation modeling based on data collected from a survey of 197 agricultural experts. The results unveil significant mediating effects involving subjective norms (religious beliefs), attitudes (perceived usefulness), and perceived control (self-motivation), with higher coefficients (β = 0.69, 0.41, and 0.24) towards perception of olive sustainability (POS). Whereas, Islamic principles such as stewardship (Khalifah), community & cooperation (Ukhuwwah & Ta'awun), and Ilm (knowledge) account for the maximum variation (R² = 0.51) in relation to POS, which has an R² value of 0.78. Conversely, challenges linked to conventional practices were effective in impeding respondents’ perception, showing a variation of (R² = 0.39). The model further successfully accounts the moderating effects of variables related to Islamic principles, indicating a robust association between perceived control behavior (p=0.04) and POS (0.001). Hence, incorporating these principles into agricultural policies can foster holistic and resilient olive farming systems for current and future generations.