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Farm Machine Use and Pesticide Expenditure in Maize Production: Health and Environment Implications

Author

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  • Jing Zhang

    (School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Jianhua Wang

    (School of Business, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
    Food Safety Research Base of Jiangsu Province, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China)

  • Xiaoshi Zhou

    (College of Economics & Management, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China)

Abstract

Although chemical pesticide use has increased agricultural productivity, it has caused adverse effects on human health and the environment. For example, pesticide exposure may result in the incidence of a human health condition (e.g., heart disease, immune disorders, cancer, and damaged skin) and it can pollute air, water, and soil conditions and damage biodiversity. Mitigating the negative externalities associated with pesticide use is essential to improve human health and environmental performance. In this study, we are trying to explore whether farm machine use reduces pesticide expenditure by analyzing farm household survey data collected from 493 maize farmers in China. An endogenous switching regression model is employed to address the sample selection bias issue associated with voluntary farm machine use. The empirical results reveal that farm machine use exerts a negative and statistically significant impact on pesticide expenditure. The findings highlight the important role of farm machines in helping reduce pesticide expenditure, which is, in turn, beneficial for improving human health conditions and environmental performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Jing Zhang & Jianhua Wang & Xiaoshi Zhou, 2019. "Farm Machine Use and Pesticide Expenditure in Maize Production: Health and Environment Implications," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:10:p:1808-:d:233143
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Qinghua Wu & Xiaoliang Guan & Jun Zhang & Yang Xu, 2019. "The Role of Rural Infrastructure in Reducing Production Costs and Promoting Resource-Conserving Agriculture," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-13, September.
    2. Sipan Li & Qunxi Gong & Shaolei Yang, 2019. "Analysis of the Agricultural Economy and Agricultural Pollution Using the Decoupling Index in Chengdu, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-11, October.

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