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Substituting Organic Fertilizer for Chemical Fertilizer: Evidence from Apple Growers in China

Author

Listed:
  • Pingping Fang

    (College of Economics and Management, China Center for Food Security Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China)

  • David Abler

    (Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA)

  • Guanghua Lin

    (College of Economics and Management, China Center for Food Security Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China)

  • Ali Sher

    (College of Economics and Management, China Center for Food Security Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China)

  • Quan Quan

    (College of Economics and Management, China Center for Food Security Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China)

Abstract

This study investigates the key factors affecting farmers’ decisions to use chemical fertilizer and/or organic fertilizer in Chinese apple production. This study calculates partial output elasticities and elasticities of the substitution between organic and chemical fertilizer, using a stochastic frontier production function model and data for 2017–2019. Subsequently, it analyzes how different sales channels impact the partial output elasticities of organic fertilizer. It also examines the impact of economic incentives on organic fertilizer use and technical inefficiency levels in apple production. The empirical results indicate that the organic matter in organic fertilizer has a medium level of substitutability with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in chemical fertilizer. Further, the results indicate that an increase in the total number of available sales channels incentivizes farms to use more organic fertilizer to optimize apple quantity at the expense of the quality. Contrary, the use of any of the three most commonly used sales channels among apple growers (dealer door-to-door purchases, enterprise sales for juice pressing, and apple brokers) has the opposite effect on the use of organic fertilizer. From these findings, the subsidized provision of organic fertilizer and educating apple farmers about the economic and ecological benefits of sustainable land management measures are suggested. Finally, the study suggests measures to improve farmers’ income, sustainable land management, and lowering the footprint of chemical fertilizers in apple production in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Pingping Fang & David Abler & Guanghua Lin & Ali Sher & Quan Quan, 2021. "Substituting Organic Fertilizer for Chemical Fertilizer: Evidence from Apple Growers in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-24, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:10:y:2021:i:8:p:858-:d:615204
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    Cited by:

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    2. Yuxuan Xu & Hongbin Liu & Jie Lyu & Ying Xue, 2022. "What Influences Farmers’ Adoption of Soil Testing and Formulated Fertilization Technology in Black Soil Areas? An Empirical Analysis Based on Logistic-ISM Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-24, November.
    3. Thongsouk Sompouviset & Yanting Ma & Eakkarin Sukkaew & Zhaoxia Zheng & Ai Zhang & Wei Zheng & Ziyan Li & Bingnian Zhai, 2023. "The Effects of Plastic Mulching Combined with Different Fertilizer Applications on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Intensity, and Apple Yield in Northwestern China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-23, June.
    4. Yuying Liu & Kaiyao Shi & Ziqi Liu & Ling Qiu & Yan Wang & Hao Liu & Xinhong Fu, 2022. "The Effect of Technical Training Provided by Agricultural Cooperatives on Farmers’ Adoption of Organic Fertilizers in China: Based on the Mediation Role of Ability and Perception," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-20, November.
    5. Jiyun Woo & Saenun Song & Seongmin Kang & Eui-Chan Jeon, 2021. "Study on Enhanced Methods for Calculating NH 3 Emissions from Fertilizer Application in Agriculture Sector," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-15, November.
    6. Dan Qiao & Ningjie Li & Li Cao & Desheng Zhang & Yanan Zheng & Tao Xu, 2022. "How Agricultural Extension Services Improve Farmers’ Organic Fertilizer Use in China? The Perspective of Neighborhood Effect and Ecological Cognition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-20, June.
    7. Jiangying Guo & Jiwei Chen, 2022. "The Impact of Heavy Rainfall Variability on Fertilizer Application Rates: Evidence from Maize Farmers in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-17, November.
    8. Yuanzhi Guo & Jieyong Wang, 2021. "Spatiotemporal Changes of Chemical Fertilizer Application and Its Environmental Risks in China from 2000 to 2019," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-14, November.
    9. Mingjia Chi & Qinyang Guo & Lincheng Mi & Guofeng Wang & Weiming Song, 2022. "Spatial Distribution of Agricultural Eco-Efficiency and Agriculture High-Quality Development in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-15, May.
    10. Guangcheng Wei & Xiangzhi Kong & Yumeng Wang, 2022. "Will Joining Cooperative Promote Farmers to Replace Chemical Fertilizers with Organic Fertilizers?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-14, December.
    11. Lian-Jie Wan & Yang Tian & Man He & Yong-Qiang Zheng & Qiang Lyu & Rang-Jin Xie & Yan-Yan Ma & Lie Deng & Shi-Lai Yi, 2021. "Effects of Chemical Fertilizer Combined with Organic Fertilizer Application on Soil Properties, Citrus Growth Physiology, and Yield," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-15, November.
    12. Xi Chen & Mingzhe Pu & Yu Zhong, 2022. "Evaluating China Food’s Fertilizer Reduction and Efficiency Initiative Using a Double Stochastic Meta-Frontier Method," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-21, June.
    13. Amir Latif & Martha Fani Cahyandito & Gemilang Lara Utama, 2023. "Dynamic System Modeling and Sustainability Strategies for Circular Economy-Based Dairy Cow Waste Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-18, February.

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