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Do Cooperatives Affect Groundwater Protection? Evidence from Rural China

Author

Listed:
  • Xin Deng

    (College of Economics, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China)

  • Lingzhi Zhang

    (College of Economics, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China)

  • Rong Xu

    (College of Economics, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China)

  • Miao Zeng

    (School of Economics, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China)

  • Qiang He

    (College of Economics, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China)

  • Dingde Xu

    (College of Management, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China)

  • Yanbin Qi

    (College of Economics, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China)

Abstract

Groundwater protection is essential for global sustainable development. Due to the lack of motivation among farmers to build harmless disposal facilities for livestock excrement, there is a huge challenge surrounding groundwater protection, which also threatens the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: “clean water and sanitation”. Aiming to improve the groundwater protection behavior (GPB) of farmers, this study involved the following approach: (1) the use of rural China as a case area; (2) an exploration of the theoretical mechanisms and quantitative impacts of cooperatives as a way to encourage farmers to build harmless disposal facilities for livestock excrement; (3) a discussion about improvement strategies to increase the possibility of farmers building harmless disposal facilities for livestock excrement. The study highlighted the following findings: (1) compared to farmers who did not participate in cooperatives, farmers who were in cooperatives were 1.18% more likely to build harmless disposal facilities for livestock excrement; (2) compared to the basic scenario, the probability of farmers building harmless disposal facilities for livestock excrement could be increased by 50~1300%. The results of this study could help to provide a reference for the introduction of policies to protect groundwater, as well as an experiential reference for the achievement of the UN SDGs 3 and 6.

Suggested Citation

  • Xin Deng & Lingzhi Zhang & Rong Xu & Miao Zeng & Qiang He & Dingde Xu & Yanbin Qi, 2022. "Do Cooperatives Affect Groundwater Protection? Evidence from Rural China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:12:y:2022:i:7:p:1016-:d:862114
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