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Can citrus farmers earn more from selling online?

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  • Zhang, Hepei
  • Ma, Wanglin
  • Li, Junpeng
  • Yang, Wei

Abstract

Online sales are essential for linking smallholder farmers to a wide range of markets. In essence, online sales not only influence the income received from selling a specific product but also generate spillover effects on total farm income and household income because they promote the sales of other agricultural products and generate regional off-farm work opportunities (e.g. product sorting, packaging, and delivery). Taking citrus as an example, this study explores the income effects of online sales with a focus on net returns from citrus production, net farm income, and household income. We used an endogenous treatment regression model to address the self-selection bias issues of online sales and estimated data collected from 926 citrus-producing households in Jiangxi Province, China. The results show that online citrus sales boost income growth in rural China. Specifically, online sales significantly increased net returns from citrus production, net farm income, and household income by 5,000 Yuan/capita, 8,580 Yuan/capita, and 17,830 Yuan/capita, respectively. The income-enhancing effects of online sales are greater for female household heads than they are for their male counterparts. Our findings emphasise the importance of promoting online sales to improve rural household welfare.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Hepei & Ma, Wanglin & Li, Junpeng & Yang, Wei, 2023. "Can citrus farmers earn more from selling online?," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 1549-1560.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecanpo:v:80:y:2023:i:c:p:1549-1560
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eap.2023.10.026
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Online sales; Rural incomes; Citrus production; Endogenous treatment regression; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C24 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Truncated and Censored Models; Switching Regression Models; Threshold Regression Models
    • Q13 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Markets and Marketing; Cooperatives; Agribusiness
    • L81 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Retail and Wholesale Trade; e-Commerce

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