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Study on Factors Affecting the Agricultural Mechanization Level in China Based on Structural Equation Modeling

Author

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  • Wei Li

    (College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China)

  • Xipan Wei

    (College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China)

  • Ruixiang Zhu

    (College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China)

  • Kangquan Guo

    (College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China)

Abstract

The subsidy policy for the purchase of agricultural machinery and China’s Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Law have been implemented since 1998 and 2004, respectively. The goal of the policy and the law is to improve the agricultural mechanization level (AML) in China. Policymakers expect that the AML could be increased by improving the agricultural equipment level (AEL). The AML in China is affected by many factors. However, only a few studies have investigated the effects of the AEL on the AML. To fill this gap, we built an integrative conceptual framework and estimated a corresponding structural equation model (SEM) using the relevant data collected from 30 provinces (cities and districts) in mainland China. The relevant data cover the years from 2001 to 2014. There are six factors in our framework, including AEL, level of economic development, land resource endowment, benefit factors, policy and environmental factors, and demographic factors. The results showed that the AEL had the greatest impact on the AML. The level of economic development, the demographic factors, and the benefit factors not only directly affected China’s AML but also indirectly affected the AML through the AEL. Meanwhile, land resource endowment and policy and environmental factors had only an indirect effect on the AEL. This report can be used to inform the government that the improvement of the AEL is one of the important ways to achieve the comprehensive mechanization of China’s agriculture, that the agricultural machinery purchase subsidies must still be enhanced and that the enforcement of China’s Agricultural Mechanization Promotion Law must still be strengthened.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei Li & Xipan Wei & Ruixiang Zhu & Kangquan Guo, 2018. "Study on Factors Affecting the Agricultural Mechanization Level in China Based on Structural Equation Modeling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-16, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2018:i:1:p:51-:d:192403
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wang, Xiaobing & Yamauchi, Futoshi & Otsuka, Keijiro & Huang, Jikun, 2016. "Wage Growth, Landholding, and Mechanization in Chinese Agriculture," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 30-45.
    2. Zhang, Xiaobo & Yang, Jin & Reardon, Thomas, 2020. "Mechanization outsourcing clusters and division of labor in Chinese agriculture," IFPRI book chapters, in: An evolving paradigm of agricultural mechanization development: How much can Africa learn from Asia?, chapter 2, pages 71-96, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    3. Qiao, Fangbin, 2017. "Increasing wage, mechanization, and agriculture production in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 249-260.
    4. Jin Yang & Zuhui Huang & Xiaobo Zhang & Thomas Reardon, 2013. "The Rapid Rise of Cross-Regional Agricultural Mechanization Services in China," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 95(5), pages 1245-1251.
    5. Yamauchi, Futoshi, 2016. "Rising real wages, mechanization and growing advantage of large farms: Evidence from Indonesia," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 62-69.
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