IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/jknowl/v16y2025i1d10.1007_s13132-024-02014-8.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Cultivating Green Champions: The Role of High-Quality Farmer Training in Sustainable Agriculture

Author

Listed:
  • Xiankai Lei

    (Xinyang Normal University
    Dabie Mountain Economic and Social Development Research Center)

  • Dongmei Yang

    (Xinyang Normal University)

Abstract

This study examines the transformative impact of cultivating high-quality farmers on the green production efficiency of agricultural practices in Henan Province, China. Utilizing a robust dataset from 2263 exemplary farmers and employing the Data Envelopment Analysis-Slack Based Measure (DEA-SBM) and Tobit models, we explore the nexus between farmer training programs and sustainable agricultural outcomes. Our findings underscore a statistically significant positive correlation between the cultivation of high-quality farmers and green production efficiency, highlighting the pivotal role of comprehensive training and skill development in enhancing sustainable farming practices. Further analysis reveals the nuanced effects of technological extension in amplifying the benefits of high-quality farmer cultivation on green production. This study contributes to the discourse on sustainable development within the agricultural sector by demonstrating how targeted educational initiatives and the promotion of advanced technologies can foster environmental stewardship and optimize resource utilization. The insights presented herein advocate for the scaling and customization of farmer training programs to meet the diverse needs of various farm types, promoting a knowledge-driven approach toward sustainable agriculture within the knowledge economy framework. Our research offers valuable implications for policymakers, agricultural stakeholders, and the broader academic community, stressing the importance of integrating knowledge, innovation, and technology in cultivating a resilient and sustainable agricultural landscape.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiankai Lei & Dongmei Yang, 2025. "Cultivating Green Champions: The Role of High-Quality Farmer Training in Sustainable Agriculture," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(1), pages 2016-2046, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:jknowl:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s13132-024-02014-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s13132-024-02014-8
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s13132-024-02014-8
    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/s13132-024-02014-8?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. Natalia Molina & Gianluca Brunori & Elena Favilli & Stefano Grando & Patrizia Proietti, 2021. "Farmers’ Participation in Operational Groups to Foster Innovation in the Agricultural Sector: An Italian Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-27, May.
    2. Junjin Chen & Hong Zhou, 2023. "The Role of Contract Farming in Green Smart Agricultural Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-14, July.
    3. Matin Qaim, 2020. "Role of New Plant Breeding Technologies for Food Security and Sustainable Agricultural Development," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 42(2), pages 129-150, June.
    4. Aijun Guo & Xiaoyun Wei & Fanglei Zhong & Penglong Wang & Xiaoyu Song, 2022. "Does Cognition of Resources and the Environment Affect Farmers’ Production Efficiency? Study of Oasis Agriculture in China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-18, April.
    5. Awais Ali & Tajamul Hussain & Noramon Tantashutikun & Nurda Hussain & Giacomo Cocetta, 2023. "Application of Smart Techniques, Internet of Things and Data Mining for Resource Use Efficient and Sustainable Crop Production," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-22, February.
    6. Karolina Pawlak & Małgorzata Kołodziejczak, 2020. "The Role of Agriculture in Ensuring Food Security in Developing Countries: Considerations in the Context of the Problem of Sustainable Food Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-20, July.
    7. Robert M. Chiles & Garrett Broad & Mark Gagnon & Nicole Negowetti & Leland Glenna & Megan A. M. Griffin & Lina Tami-Barrera & Siena Baker & Kelly Beck, 2021. "Democratizing ownership and participation in the 4th Industrial Revolution: challenges and opportunities in cellular agriculture," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 38(4), pages 943-961, December.
    8. Marios Vasileiou & Leonidas Sotirios Kyrgiakos & Christina Kleisiari & Georgios Kleftodimos & George Vlontzos & Hatem Belhouchette & Panos M. Pardalos, 2024. "Transforming weed management in sustainable agriculture with artificial intelligence: a systematic literature review towards weed identification and deep learning," Post-Print hal-04297703, HAL.
    9. Shuang Ren & Guiyao Tang & Susan Jackson, 2018. "Green human resource management research in emergence: A review and future directions," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 35(3), pages 769-803, September.
    10. Thi Lam Bui & Huu Cuong Tran & Hossein Azadi & Philippe Lebailly, 2018. "Improving the Technical Efficiency of Sengcu Rice Producers through Better Financial Management and Sustainable Farming Practices in Mountainous Areas of Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-19, July.
    11. Liu, Shan & Zhong, Chun, 2024. "Green growth: Intellectual property conflicts and prospects in the extraction of natural resources for sustainable development," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    12. Baozhong Cai & Fang Shi & Yuangji Huang & Meseret Abatechanie, 2021. "The Impact of Agricultural Socialized Services to Promote the Farmland Scale Management Behavior of Smallholder Farmers: Empirical Evidence from the Rice-Growing Region of Southern China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-17, December.
    13. Guangyue Xu & Juanjuan Li & Peter M. Schwarz & Hualiu Yang & Huiying Chang, 2022. "Rural financial development and achieving an agricultural carbon emissions peak: an empirical analysis of Henan Province, China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(11), pages 12936-12962, November.
    14. Mingyong Hong & Shunfa Yu & Jiao Long, 2023. "Agricultural Land Rights Confirmation, Clan Network, and Farmers’ Investment in Production and Operation," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-18, October.
    15. Wu, Haitao & Wang, Bingjie & Lu, Mingyue & Irfan, Muhammad & Miao, Xin & Luo, Shiyue & Hao, Yu, 2023. "The strategy to achieve zero‑carbon in agricultural sector: Does digitalization matter under the background of COP26 targets?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    16. Christopher Cramer & Jonathan Di John & John Sender, 2022. "Classification and Roundabout Production in High‐value Agriculture: A Fresh Approach to Industrialization," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 53(3), pages 495-524, May.
    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. Stéphan Marette & John Beghin & Anne‐Célia Disdier & Eliza Mojduszka, 2023. "Can foods produced with new plant engineering techniques succeed in the marketplace? A case study of apples," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 45(1), pages 414-435, March.
    2. Vincent Smith & Justus H. H. Wesseler & David Zilberman, 2021. "New Plant Breeding Technologies: An Assessment of the Political Economy of the Regulatory Environment and Implications for Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Hanna Dudek & Joanna Myszkowska-Ryciak & Agnieszka Wojewódzka-Wiewiórska, 2021. "Profiles of Food Insecurity: Similarities and Differences across Selected CEE Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-19, August.
    4. Jiannan Wang & Shaoning Zhang & Lezhu Zhang, 2023. "Intelligent Hog Farming Adoption Choices Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology Model: Perspectives from China’s New Agricultural Managers," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-22, October.
    5. Zoltán Lakner & Brigitta Plasek & Gyula Kasza & Anna Kiss & Sándor Soós & Ágoston Temesi, 2021. "Towards Understanding the Food Consumer Behavior–Food Safety–Sustainability Triangle: A Bibliometric Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-23, November.
    6. Aras Türkoğlu & Kamil Haliloğlu & Metin Tosun & Piotr Szulc & Fatih Demirel & Barış Eren & Henryk Bujak & Halit Karagöz & Marek Selwet & Güller Özkan & Gniewko Niedbała, 2023. "Sodium Azide as a Chemical Mutagen in Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.): Patterns of the Genetic and Epigenetic Effects with iPBS and CRED-iPBS Techniques," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-15, June.
    7. Mengjie Tian & Mingyong Hong & Ji Wang, 2023. "Land resources, market-oriented reform and high-quality agricultural development," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 56(6), pages 4165-4197, December.
    8. Jayson Beckman & Maros Ivanic & Jeremy Jelliffe, 2022. "Market impacts of Farm to Fork: Reducing agricultural input usage," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 44(4), pages 1995-2013, December.
    9. Michael Yao-Ping Peng & Li Zhang & Meng-Hsiu Lee & Fang-Yih Hsu & Yan Xu & Yuan He, 2024. "The relationship between strategic human resource management, green innovation and environmental performance: a moderated-mediation model," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-13, December.
    10. Rafał Nowak & Małgorzata Szczepanek & Joanna Kobus-Cisowska & Kinga Stuper-Szablewska & Radomir Graczyk & Karolina Błaszczyk, 2024. "Relationships Between Photosynthetic Efficiency and Grain Antioxidant Content of Barley Genotypes Under Increasing Nitrogen Rates," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-21, October.
    11. Xuezhen Xu & Fang Wang & Tao Xu & Sufyan Ullah Khan, 2023. "How Does Capital Endowment Impact Farmers’ Green Production Behavior? Perspectives on Ecological Cognition and Environmental Regulation," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-27, August.
    12. Katarzyna Piwowar‐Sulej, 2021. "Core functions of Sustainable Human Resource Management. A hybrid literature review with the use of H‐Classics methodology," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(4), pages 671-693, July.
    13. Priya Shah & Richa Singh Dubey & Shashikant Rai & Douglas W. S. Renwick & Saurabh Misra, 2024. "Green human resource management: A comprehensive investigation using bibliometric analysis," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(1), pages 31-53, January.
    14. Taiwen Feng & Hongyan Sheng, 2023. "Identifying the equifinal configurations of prompting green supply chain integration and subsequent performance outcome," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(8), pages 5234-5251, December.
    15. Bashar Barakat & Marwan Milhem & Gehad Mohammed Ahmed Naji & Mohammed Alzoraiki & Habsah Binti Muda & Ali Ateeq & Zahida Abro, 2023. "Assessing the Impact of Green Training on Sustainable Business Advantage: Exploring the Mediating Role of Green Supply Chain Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-21, September.
    16. Rombeallo, Intan Parumbuan & Jamil, Muhammad Hatta & Rukmana, Didi, 2024. "Factors affecting farmers’ decision to join coffee producer cooperatives to improve their welfare," Agricultural and Resource Economics: International Scientific E-Journal, Agricultural and Resource Economics: International Scientific E-Journal, vol. 10(4), December.
    17. Robert Ugochukwu Onyeneke & Roseline Daberechi Ejike & Emeka Emmanuel Osuji & Nneka Maris Chidiebere-Mark, 2024. "Does climate change affect crops differently? New evidence from Nigeria," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(1), pages 393-419, January.
    18. Ning Geng & Mengyao Wang & Zengjin Liu, 2022. "Farmland Transfer, Scale Management and Economies of Scale Assessment: Evidence from the Main Grain-Producing Shandong Province in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-16, November.
    19. Elżbieta Goryńska-Goldmann & Michał Gazdecki & Krystyna Rejman & Joanna Kobus-Cisowska & Sylwia Łaba & Robert Łaba, 2020. "How to Prevent Bread Losses in the Baking and Confectionery Industry?—Measurement, Causes, Management and Prevention," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-24, December.
    20. Sharina Shariff & Siti ‘Aisyah Baharudin & Nor Asmat Ismail, 2025. "A Systematic Review of the Challenges and Opportunities of the Agriculture Economic Sector in Malaysia," Information Management and Business Review, AMH International, vol. 17(1), pages 285-303.

    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:jknowl:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s13132-024-02014-8. 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.