IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/endesu/v26y2024i12d10.1007_s10668-024-04793-1.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Can digital literacy improve organic fertilizer utilization rates?: Empirical evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaoxiao Li

    (Hebei University of Economics and Business)

  • Laping Wu

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Han Gao

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Nanyan Hu

    (China Agricultural University)

Abstract

Since 2018, the Digital Village Construction project has been given much higher priority in Chinese rural revitalization. This paper studies the effects of digital literacy on the organic fertilizer utilization rates and explores the effectiveness of information. Using data from a field survey on 1585 vegetable growers in six main vegetable-producing provinces of China, we build Tobit model and endogenous switching regression model to do the empirical test. The results show that digital literacy and the effectiveness of information increase the organic fertilizer utilization rates by 6.5 per cent and 19.1 per cent, respectively. The moderating effect of the effectiveness of information is significant at 10% level. In particular, the treatment effects of digital literacy showed that when the farmers with low-level digital literacy switch to high-level digital literacy, the organic fertilizer utilization rates will be raised by 2.973 CHY (CHY is Chinese money unit. At current exchange rate of March 2024, 1 USD = 7.1982 CHY). And if the farmers with high-level digital literacy switch low-level digital literacy, the organic fertilizer utilization rates will decline by 1.546 CHY. The empirical findings of the current study provide guidelines for policy makers to improve the quality of information, carry out targeted digital literacy cultivation and promote the positive role of digital technology in improving organic fertilizer utilization rates. Overall, this study presents a better understanding of the actual impacts of farmers' digital literacy and digital technology in rural China, and provides valuable insights for other countries or regions that also engage in the improvement of digital literacy to promote the development of green economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaoxiao Li & Laping Wu & Han Gao & Nanyan Hu, 2024. "Can digital literacy improve organic fertilizer utilization rates?: Empirical evidence from China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(12), pages 31921-31946, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:26:y:2024:i:12:d:10.1007_s10668-024-04793-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-024-04793-1
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10668-024-04793-1
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10668-024-04793-1?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Madhu Khanna, 2021. "Digital Transformation of the Agricultural Sector: Pathways, Drivers and Policy Implications," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 43(4), pages 1221-1242, December.
    2. Jenny C. Aker & Marcel Fafchamps, 2015. "Mobile Phone Coverage and Producer Markets: Evidence from West Africa," The World Bank Economic Review, World Bank, vol. 29(2), pages 262-292.
    3. Salvatore Di Falco & Marcella Veronesi & Mahmud Yesuf, 2011. "Does Adaptation to Climate Change Provide Food Security? A Micro-Perspective from Ethiopia," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 93(3), pages 825-842.
    4. David Spielman & Els Lecoutere & Simrin Makhija & Bjorn Van Campenhout, 2021. "Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Agricultural Extension in Developing Countries," Annual Review of Resource Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 13(1), pages 177-201, October.
    5. Ma, Wanglin & Abdulai, Awudu, 2016. "Does cooperative membership improve household welfare? Evidence from apple farmers in China," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 94-102.
    6. Lung-Fei Lee, 1982. "Some Approaches to the Correction of Selectivity Bias," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 49(3), pages 355-372.
    7. Jikun Huang & Yangjie Wang & Jinxia Wang, 2015. "Farmers' Adaptation to Extreme Weather Events through Farm Management and Its Impacts on the Mean and Risk of Rice Yield in China," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 97(2), pages 602-617.
    8. Awudu Abdulai & Wallace Huffman, 2014. "The Adoption and Impact of Soil and Water Conservation Technology: An Endogenous Switching Regression Application," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 90(1), pages 26-43.
    9. Michael Lokshin & Zurab Sajaia, 2004. "Maximum likelihood estimation of endogenous switching regression models," Stata Journal, StataCorp LLC, vol. 4(3), pages 282-289, September.
    10. nan, 2012. "The quiet revolution in staple food value chains: Enter the dragon, the elephant, and the tiger," IFPRI books, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), number 978-92-9092-911-6 edited by Adriano, Lourdes; Chen, Kevin Z.; Minten, Bart; Reardon, Thomas.
    11. David M.A. Murphy & Dries Roobroeck & David R. Lee & Janice Thies, 2020. "Underground Knowledge: Estimating the Impacts of Soil Information Transfers Through Experimental Auctions†," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 102(5), pages 1468-1493, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Amadu, Festus O. & McNamara, Paul E. & Davis, Kristin E., 2021. "Soil health and grain yield impacts of climate resilient agriculture projects: Evidence from southern Malawi," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    2. Song, Chunxiao & Liu, Ruifeng & Oxley, Oxley & Ma, Hengyun, 2018. "The adoption and impact of engineering-type measures to address climate change: evidence from the major grain-producing areas in China," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 62(4), October.
    3. Shahzad, Muhammad Faisal & Abdulai, Awudu, 2020. "Adaptation to extreme weather conditions and farm performance in rural Pakistan," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    4. Ojo, T.O. & Baiyegunhi, L.J.S., 2020. "Determinants of climate change adaptation strategies and its impact on the net farm income of rice farmers in south-west Nigeria," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    5. Amadu, Festus O. & McNamara, Paul E. & Miller, Daniel C., 2020. "Yield effects of climate-smart agriculture aid investment in southern Malawi," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    6. Khanal, Uttam & Wilson, Clevo & Hoang, Vincent & Lee, Boon, 2015. "Autonomous adaptations to climate change and rice productivity: a case study of the Tanahun district, Nepal," MPRA Paper 106916, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Goundan, Anatole & Faye, Amy & Henning, Christian H. C. A. & Collins-Sowah, Peron A., 2020. "Investing in risky inputs in Senegal: Implications for farm profit and food production," Working Papers of Agricultural Policy WP2020-07, University of Kiel, Department of Agricultural Economics, Chair of Agricultural Policy.
    8. Yonas T. Bahta & Joseph P. Musara, 2022. "Quantifying the Impact of COVID-19 Relief Vouchers Schemes on Food Security: Empirical Evidence Insights from South Africa," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-21, August.
    9. Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman & Jeffry D. Connor, 2022. "Impact of Agricultural Extension Services on Fertilizer Use and Farmers’ Welfare: Evidence from Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-16, July.
    10. Fleur Wouterse, 2017. "Empowerment, climate change adaptation, and agricultural production: evidence from Niger," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 145(3), pages 367-382, December.
    11. Martey, Edward & Etwire, Prince M. & Mockshell, Jonathan, 2021. "Climate-smart cowpea adoption and welfare effects of comprehensive agricultural training programs," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    12. Hongyun Zheng & Wanglin Ma & Gucheng Li, 2021. "Adoption of organic soil amendments and its impact on farm performance: evidence from wheat farmers in China," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 65(2), pages 367-390, April.
    13. Tufa, Adane Hirpa & Alene, Arega D. & Manda, Julius & Akinwale, M.G. & Chikoye, David & Feleke, Shiferaw & Wossen, Tesfamicheal & Manyong, Victor, 2019. "The productivity and income effects of adoption of improved soybean varieties and agronomic practices in Malawi," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 1-1.
    14. Federico Antonioli & Simone Severini & Mauro Vigani, 2023. "Visa for competitiveness: foreign workforce and Italian dairy farms’ performance," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 50(1), pages 115-150.
    15. Uttam Khanal & Clevo Wilson & Boon L. Lee & Viet-Ngu Hoang, 2018. "Climate change adaptation strategies and food productivity in Nepal: a counterfactual analysis," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 148(4), pages 575-590, June.
    16. Cheng, Yifan & Yu, Jianyu & Min, Shi & Wang, Xiaobing, 2024. "The effects of land titling on intergenerational transfers in rural China," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 225(C), pages 228-251.
    17. Khanal, Uttam & Wilson, Clevo & Hoang, Viet-Ngu & Lee, Boon, 2018. "Farmers' Adaptation to Climate Change, Its Determinants and Impacts on Rice Yield in Nepal," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 139-147.
    18. Wegayehu Fitawek & Sheryl L. Hendriks, 2021. "Evaluating the Impact of Large-Scale Agricultural Investments on Household Food Security Using an Endogenous Switching Regression Model," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-19, March.
    19. Adom, Philip Kofi & Nsabimana, Aimable, 2022. "Rural access to electricity and welfare outcomes in Rwanda: Addressing issues of transitional heterogeneities and between and within gender disparities," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    20. Nsabimana, Aimable, 2021. "Is change worth it? The effects of adopting modern agricultural inputs on household welfare in Rwanda," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 16(3), September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:26:y:2024:i:12:d:10.1007_s10668-024-04793-1. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.