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How crop insurance influences agrochemical input use: Evidence from cotton farmers in China

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  • Hui Mao
  • Shaojian Chen
  • RuiYao Ying
  • Yong Fu

Abstract

Crop insurance is critical in risk management in global agricultural production (e.g. by helping stabilise farmers' incomes in the long term and reducing risk‐bearing costs). In this paper, using field survey data on cotton farmers in Xinjiang, China, we examine the influence of crop insurance on farmers' behaviours regarding agrochemical inputs and aim to investigate the synergy between crop insurance and reductions in fertiliser and pesticide usage. We find evidence that crop insurance significantly negatively affects farmers' use of fertilisers and pesticides, as well as significantly positively affects their adoption of green agricultural technologies (GAT) that can replace or complement traditional fertilisers and pesticides. Moreover, our results reveal that compared with small‐scale farmers, crop insurance has a stronger effect on large‐scale farmers' use of agrochemicals. Finally, when the insured amount is higher or the relative deductible is lower, farmers are more likely to reduce fertiliser and pesticide usage and adopt GAT. Overall, this paper scientifically identifies crop insurance can improve farmers' agrochemical input behaviour, by reducing farmers' use of traditional agrochemical inputs and increasing their adoption of GAT, which is of great significance for ensuring the safety of the agricultural ecological environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Hui Mao & Shaojian Chen & RuiYao Ying & Yong Fu, 2023. "How crop insurance influences agrochemical input use: Evidence from cotton farmers in China," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 67(2), pages 224-244, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:ajarec:v:67:y:2023:i:2:p:224-244
    DOI: 10.1111/1467-8489.12507
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