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Land Fragmentation, Technology Adoption and Chemical Fertilizer Application: Evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Liang Chi

    (Agricultural Information Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Shuqing Han

    (Agricultural Information Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Meili Huan

    (China Institute for Rural Studies, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Yajuan Li

    (National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China)

  • Jifang Liu

    (Agricultural Information Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China)

Abstract

Although it has been widely recognized that land fragmentation has increased chemical fertilizer application, little is known about the role of technology adoption in mitigating these adverse effects. To empirically examine the relationship between land fragmentation, technology adoption and chemical fertilizer application, we developed a mediation model. We applied our analysis to a survey data set encompassing 1388 farm-level samples collected in 14 Chinese provinces in 2019. Our study demonstrated that land fragmentation can not only directly increase chemical fertilizer application but also indirectly increase it by hindering the adoption of agricultural mechanization technologies (AMT’s) and soil testing fertilization technologies (STFT’s). Both are recognized as potent drivers of fertilizer use reductions. Moreover, the adoption of information and communications technologies (ICT’s) can help mitigate the negative effects of land fragmentation on technology adoption, thus reducing chemical fertilizer application intensity (CFAI). However, the direct effects of land fragmentation on CAFI was unaffected by ICT’s. Our findings suggest that ICT’s have revolutionized farmer recognition, promotion and adoption of agricultural technologies by increasing awareness and diffusion of agricultural technology information.

Suggested Citation

  • Liang Chi & Shuqing Han & Meili Huan & Yajuan Li & Jifang Liu, 2022. "Land Fragmentation, Technology Adoption and Chemical Fertilizer Application: Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-17, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:13:p:8147-:d:854660
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    Cited by:

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    5. Hao Li & Huina Liu & Wei-Yew Chang & Chun Wang, 2023. "Factors Affecting Farmers’ Environment-Friendly Fertilization Behavior in China: Synthesizing the Evidence Using Meta-Analysis," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-16, January.
    6. Linwei Wang & Yixin Hu & Rong Kong, 2023. "The Impact of Bancassurance Interaction on the Adoption Behavior of Green Production Technology in Family Farms: Evidence from China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-26, April.
    7. Junxia Zeng & Dengwang Li & Cuiping Ma & Bin Wang & Liangliang Gao, 2022. "The Impact of Different Uses of the Internet on Farmers′ Adoption of Soil Testing and Formulated Fertilization Technology in Rural China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-14, December.

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