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Exploring Cooperative Mechanisms in the Chinese Agricultural Value Chain: A Game Model Analysis Based on Leading Enterprises and Small Farmers

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  • Qiang Jin

    (College of Economics and Management, China Agricultural University, No. 17 Tsinghua East Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Hui Dang

    (College of Economics and Management, China Agricultural University, No. 17 Tsinghua East Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Heng Wang

    (College of Economics and Management, China Agricultural University, No. 17 Tsinghua East Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Zhenghe Zhang

    (College of Economics and Management, China Agricultural University, No. 17 Tsinghua East Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China)

Abstract

In the context of agricultural modernization in China, this paper examines the micro-level perspective of agricultural value chains. Drawing from three primary models of agricultural value chain cooperation—namely, “leading enterprises + small farmers”, “leading enterprises + cooperatives + small farmers”, and “corporate integration”—it establishes four game models: the decentralized decision-making game model, the two revenue-sharing game models, and the centralized decision-making game model. It systematically analyzes the cooperation mechanisms between leading enterprises and small farmers in upstream production links of the agricultural value chain, aiming to improve the cooperation strategy between leading enterprises and small farmers, elevate the status of small farmers in the agricultural value chain, promote increased income for farmers, and strengthen the agricultural value chain. The research findings are as follows: Firstly, the traditional contract of “leading enterprise + smallholder farmers” is incomplete, which makes it difficult to avoid opportunism and moral hazard that may arise between the two parties. By comparing multiple parameter values, it is found that this model is at a lower level of agricultural value chain development. Secondly, the model of “leading enterprise + cooperative + smallholder farmers” improves the tightness and stability of cooperation between leading enterprises and smallholder farmers. This model explains to some extent the operability of smallholder farmers sharing the value of the agricultural value chain. Compared with various parameter values, this model is at a medium level between other models. Finally, the “corporate integration” model is a fully vertical integration model. Compared with various parameter values, this model is at an advanced stage of agricultural value chain development. Therefore, agricultural value chains will ultimately develop toward the direction of corporate integration. This study has positive practical significance for enhancing the status and claim rights of small farmers, promoting increased income for farmers, enhancing the consistency of values between leading enterprises and small farmers, strengthening the stability of the agricultural value chain, and ultimately achieving common prosperity and agricultural modernization in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiang Jin & Hui Dang & Heng Wang & Zhenghe Zhang, 2024. "Exploring Cooperative Mechanisms in the Chinese Agricultural Value Chain: A Game Model Analysis Based on Leading Enterprises and Small Farmers," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-28, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:3:p:437-:d:1353133
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Shenghao Zhu & Guanyi Yin & Qingzhi Sun & Zhan Zhang & Guanghao Li & Liangfei Gao, 2025. "Structural Changes to China’s Agricultural Business Entities System Under the Perspective of Competitive Evolution," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-20, March.
    2. Qi Li & Zixuan Wang, 2025. "Has contract farming improved the green technology efficiency of vegetable growers? Empirical evidence from rural areas in Shandong Province, China," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 71(7), pages 378-393.
    3. Zhan Zhang & Guanyi Yin & Qing Wang & Qingzhi Sun & Guanghao Li & Shenghao Zhu & Liangfei Gao, 2025. "The Impact Mechanism of Land Scale on Farmers’ Participation in New Agricultural Business Entities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-22, May.
    4. Yanhu Bai & Cong Zhu & Jianli Luo & Xiaomin Zou, 2025. "How Can Science and Technology Backyards Lead Smallholder Farmers Toward Green Transformation? An Evolutionary Game Analysis of a Tripartite Interaction," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-28, June.

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