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Analysis of Farmers’ Crop Rotation Intention and Behavior Using Structural Equation Modeling: Evidence from Heilongjiang Province, China

Author

Listed:
  • Rui Zhang

    (School of Economics and Management, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Guoming Du

    (School of Economics and Management, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
    School of Public Administration and Law, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Bonoua Faye

    (School of Public Administration and Law, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Haijiao Liu

    (School of Economics and Management, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

Abstract

Exploring the factors driving farmers’ crop rotation intention and behavior can provide a scientific foundation for enhancing crop rotation policies. Utilizing 448 micro-research samples from three counties in Heilongjiang Province, a structural equation model was developed to examine the factors influencing farmers’ crop rotation intention and behavior. This analysis focused on farmer cognition, family endowment, and the external environment. The study results indicate that farmer cognition and family endowment positively impact their intention to rotate. The rotation intention, in turn, is a crucial driver of actual rotation behavior. However, the external environment tends to affect rotational behavior negatively. Then, positive effects were noted, and factors such as the benefits of crop rotation, policy awareness, social support, larger cropland area, narrower return, the profit gap between maize and soybean, lower spatial connectivity standard, and higher crop rotation subsidy standard significantly encourage farmers’ crop rotation intention and behavior. In a nutshell, to effectively promote the area of rotation, it is crucial to enhance policy communication, target subsidy to larger households, and establish differentiated subsidy standards. These measures are essential to boosting farmers’ motivation and increasing the adoption of crop rotation in the region.

Suggested Citation

  • Rui Zhang & Guoming Du & Bonoua Faye & Haijiao Liu, 2025. "Analysis of Farmers’ Crop Rotation Intention and Behavior Using Structural Equation Modeling: Evidence from Heilongjiang Province, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-17, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:1:p:158-:d:1566668
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yuzhu Zou & Zhenshan Liu & Yan Chen & Yin Wang & Shijing Feng, 2024. "Crop Rotation and Diversification in China: Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture and Resilience," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-14, August.
    2. Feng, Ting & Xiong, Ruoyu & Huan, Peng, 2023. "Productive use of natural resources in agriculture: The main policy lessons," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PA).
    3. Ruhao Xue & Bonoua Faye & Rui Zhang & Xin Gong & Guoming Du, 2024. "Farmers’ Willingness to Engage in Ecological Compensation for Crop Rotation in China’s Black Soil Regions," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-23, August.
    4. Yao Dinard Kouadio & Amètépé Nathanaël Beauclair Anani & Bonoua Faye & Yadong Fan, 2023. "Determinants Influencing Cocoa Farmers’ Satisfaction with Input Credit in the Nawa Region of Côte d’Ivoire," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-17, July.
    5. Li, Fuduo & Zhang, Kangjie & Ren, Jing & Yin, Changbin & Zhang, Yang & Nie, Jun, 2021. "Driving mechanism for farmers to adopt improved agricultural systems in China: The case of rice-green manure crops rotation system," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    6. Guoming Du & Le Han & Longcheng Yao & Bonoua Faye, 2024. "Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Evolution of Grain Cropping Patterns in Northeast China: Insights from Remote Sensing and Spatial Overlay Analysis," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-20, August.
    7. Guoming Du & Longcheng Yao & Le Han & Faye Bonoua, 2023. "What Should Be Learned from the Dynamic Evolution of Cropping Patterns in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China? A Case Study of Wangkui County, Heilongjiang Province," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-17, August.
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    1. Shengsheng Li & Xiaoyu Fan & Guoming Du, 2025. "Transition Through Collaboration: New Agricultural Business Entities Can Promote Crop Rotation Adoption in Heilongjiang, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-17, April.

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