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The Effect of Labor Migration on Farmers’ Cultivated Land Quality Protection

Author

Listed:
  • Hui Zhang

    (College of Economics and Management, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

  • Yumeng Zhang

    (College of Economics and Management, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

  • Shuang Wu

    (College of Economics and Management, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China)

  • Rong Cai

    (Institute of Food Economics, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing 210003, China)

Abstract

Since the reform and opening up, a large proportion of the Chinese rural labor force has transferred to urban and non-agricultural industries. Rural labor transfer not only changes the allocation of household labor in agricultural and non-agricultural sectors but also affects the utilization of other agricultural production factors. Based on data from 818 households in three counties in northern Jiangsu province, this paper analyzed the impact of labor migration on farmers’ adoption of cultivated land quality protection (CLQP) behaviors. The survey results showed that farmers’ awareness of CLQP was still very weak, and the proportion of farmers adopting measures such as subsoiling, straw application, cover crops and green manures and the complementary use of organic fertilizers was still relatively low. The empirical results showed that perennial out-migration for work can constrain households’ protective inputs into soil conservation, but part-time farming locally can promote households’ inputs. The results also showed that farmer characteristics, farming conditions and external environment also significantly affected the farmers’ adoption of soil conservation practices. According to these conclusions, this paper puts forward the corresponding policy implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Hui Zhang & Yumeng Zhang & Shuang Wu & Rong Cai, 2020. "The Effect of Labor Migration on Farmers’ Cultivated Land Quality Protection," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:7:p:2953-:d:342580
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Kunpeng Wang & Minghao Ou & Zinabu Wolde, 2020. "Regional Differences in Ecological Compensation for Cultivated Land Protection: An Analysis of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-16, November.
    3. Xiaoying Wang & Hangang Hu & Aifeng Ning & Guan Li & Xueqi Wang, 2022. "The Impact of Farmers’ Perception on Their Cultivated Land Quality Protection Behavior: A Case Study of Ningbo, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-21, May.
    4. Li Chen & Qing Wang, 2021. "Study on the Contradiction between Population and Cultivated Land and the Priority Protection of Cultivated Land in the Policy of Poverty Alleviation: A Case Study of the Upper Reaches of Min River, S," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-19, March.
    5. Na Xu & Liqin Zhang & Xiyuan Leng, 2022. "Sustainable Food Production from a Labor Supply Perspective: Policies and Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-19, November.
    6. Jie Zhang & Meiqiu Chen & Chang Huang & Zhaohao Lai, 2022. "Labor Endowment, Cultivated Land Fragmentation, and Ecological Farming Adoption Strategies among Farmers in Jiangxi Province, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-17, May.
    7. Ruixin Zhang & Lei Luo & Yuying Liu & Xinhong Fu, 2022. "Impact of Labor Migration on Chemical Fertilizer Application of Citrus Growers: Empirical Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-14, June.

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