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The Effect of Non-Cognitive Ability on Farmer’s Ecological Protection of Farmland: Evidence from Major Tea Producing Areas in China

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  • Xiaohuan Wang

    (College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China)

  • Yifei Ma

    (College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
    Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, 3062 PA Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Hua Li

    (College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China)

  • Caixia Xue

    (College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China)

Abstract

Ecological protection of farmland is an important means to reduce agricultural non-point source pollution and improve the quality of agricultural products. As the main body of current agricultural production and operation, the aging labor force has insufficient cognitive ability and low ability to learn actively, which is not conducive to transforming the green output. However, non-cognitive abilities closely related to the acquired environment can promote the elderly farmers’ farmland ecological protection behavior by improving life satisfaction and social adaptability. Based on the above background, using the survey data of 964 farmers in China, the bivariate Probit model was used to empirically test the influence mechanism of non-cognitive ability on the ecological protection behavior of farmland. The study found that non-cognitive ability significantly promoted farmer’s ecological protection of farmland in China. Specifically, the variables of non-cognitive ability, social communication ability, active learning ability, self-efficacy, stress resistance, altruistic tendency and individual resilience were found to significantly promote ecological protection of farmland. Mechanism analysis showed that non-cognitive ability promoted the ecological protection behavior of farmland by expanding social capital, information channels and improving technical value perception. A heterogeneity analysis revealed that non-cognitive ability had a greater impact on ecological protection behavior of farmland in the elderly and low-income groups. Therefore, government should attach importance to improving farmers’ non-cognitive abilities, further increase technical publicity, and build a communication platform for farmers in order to promote the ecological protection of farmland.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaohuan Wang & Yifei Ma & Hua Li & Caixia Xue, 2022. "The Effect of Non-Cognitive Ability on Farmer’s Ecological Protection of Farmland: Evidence from Major Tea Producing Areas in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:13:p:7598-:d:844255
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhiyuan Zhu & Jiajia Duan & Shilin Li & Zhenzhong Dai & Yongzhong Feng, 2022. "Phenomenon of Non-Grain Production of Cultivated Land Has Become Increasingly Prominent over the Last 20 Years: Evidence from Guanzhong Plain, China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-14, October.
    2. Qiqi Liu & Tingwu Yan, 2025. "The effect of noncognitive abilities on promoting the adoption of soil testing and formula fertilization technology by farmers: empirical insights from Central China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(2), pages 4937-4969, February.
    3. Xinyan Wei & Ying Liu & Yang Liu, 2023. "Study on the Impact of Internet Usage, Aging on Farm Household Income," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-16, September.

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