The perceived lock-ins of dairy farmers during sustainability transition

While moving towards more sustainable modes of production, farmers often encounter lock-ins - systemic mechanisms that restrict adoption of alternative technologies and practices, and reinforce existing development pathways. These lock-ins emerge across scales, from micro- to macro-level. Understanding how lock-ins are perceived at farm-level is crucial for identifying pathways to unlock them. This study aimed to gain insight into the perceived lock-ins experienced by dairy farmers during their sustainability transition. Using the Netherlands as a case study, 41 interviews with dairy farmers were conducted. Lock-ins were found across various sources, but those related to formal institutional processes, psychosocial lock-ins, existing infrastructure and available capital were the most persistent. On-farm decisions in the past contribute to the persistence of current lock-ins, influencing the feasibility of unlocking them. Lock-ins varied by farm management style: organic and land-based farmers perceived fewer lock-ins, while heavily financed farmers and those with limited land appeared more vulnerable. This research advances the sustainability transition literature by demonstrating the applicability of lock-in frameworks and enhancing both the conceptual understanding and empirical assessment of lock-in mechanisms. The findings highlight a broad range of agricultural-related and interconnected lock-ins which, once understood and addressed, could accelerate sustainability transition.