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The impact of training on farmers’ human capital accumulation in rural China

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  • Junxia Zeng
  • Lei Wan
  • Wenjin Long

Abstract

Training represents a crucial pathway for enhancing farmers’ human capital. China currently invests over 2 billion CNY (310 million USD) annually to train nearly a million professional farmers. While previous studies have primarily focused on the direct effects of training on production and income, there is no consensus on how training specifically contributes to farmers’ human capital accumulation. This study employs panel survey data from 753 farmers across four Chinese provinces collected in 2016 and 2019, utilizing Propensity Score Matching-Difference in Differences (PSM-DID) methodology to examine the impact of farmer training on participants’ human capital. The empirical analysis reveals that farmers who participated in professional training programs experienced significant improvements in their explicit human capital, demonstrated by increases of 6.76% and 13.30% in obtaining national vocational qualification certificates and farmer technical staff titles, respectively. Additionally, their internalized human capital showed marked enhancement, with increases of 21.03% and 11.29% in utilizing digital platforms such as WeChat groups and Douyin (or Kuaishou) for agricultural knowledge and skill acquisition. These findings suggest that China should continue prioritizing farmers’ human capital development, particularly through professional training programs, as a key strategy for promoting agricultural transformation and rural revitalization.

Suggested Citation

  • Junxia Zeng & Lei Wan & Wenjin Long, 2026. "The impact of training on farmers’ human capital accumulation in rural China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 21(1), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0340885
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0340885
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hugh Waddington & Birte Snilstveit & Jorge Hombrados & Martina Vojtkova & Daniel Phillips & Philip Davies & Howard White, 2014. "Farmer Field Schools for Improving Farming Practices and Farmer Outcomes: A Systematic Review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 10(1), pages -335.
    2. Phillips, Joseph M, 1994. "Farmer Education and Farmer Efficiency: A Meta-Analysis," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 43(1), pages 149-165, October.
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