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Are There Any Undesired Effects of Anti-Land Fragmentation Programs on Farm Production Practices and Farm Input Use?

Author

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  • Tzong-Haw Lee

    (College of Economics, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China)

  • Brian Lee

    (Department of Agricultural Economics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan)

  • Yi-Ju Su

    (Department of Economics, Shih Hsin University, Taipei 116, Taiwan)

  • Hung-Hao Chang

    (Department of Agricultural Economics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan)

Abstract

Most policies designed to reduce land fragmentation involve land consolidation. However, research examining the relationship between agricultural zoning and land fragmentation has not yet been explored. This paper considers the causal impact of an anti-land fragmentation policy on farmland use and farm production inputs relevant to environmental quality using a population-based census survey of farm households in Taiwan. Using the regression discontinuity method, we found that the anti-land fragmentation policy reduced the proportion of farmland used in farm production and environmental conservation by 2.4% and 2.6%, respectively. The policy also impacted the proportion of farmland using fertilizers, irrigation systems, and underground water. Our results show that anti-land fragmentation policies must be carefully designed to avoid negatively impacting farmland use and the environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Tzong-Haw Lee & Brian Lee & Yi-Ju Su & Hung-Hao Chang, 2021. "Are There Any Undesired Effects of Anti-Land Fragmentation Programs on Farm Production Practices and Farm Input Use?," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:10:y:2021:i:2:p:138-:d:490722
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Juliet Katusiime & Brigitta Schütt, 2023. "Towards Legislation Responsive to Integrated Watershed Management Approaches and Land Tenure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-27, January.

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