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Influence of Agricultural Technology Extension and Social Networks on Chinese Farmers’ Adoption of Conservation Tillage Technology

Author

Listed:
  • Jiabin Xu

    (College of Economics and Management, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work and should be considered co-first authors.)

  • Zhaoda Cui

    (School of Economics, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work and should be considered co-first authors.)

  • Tianyi Wang

    (College of Economics and Management, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Jingjing Wang

    (College of Economics and Management, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Zhigang Yu

    (College of Economics and Management, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

  • Cuixia Li

    (College of Economics and Management, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China)

Abstract

Agricultural technology extension and social networks are the essential components of formal and informal institutions, respectively, and their influence on agricultural production has been the focus of academics. This article takes conservation tillage technology as an example, based on simple random unduplicated sampling, and uses survey data of 781 farmers in Heilongjiang, Henan, Shandong, and Shanxi provinces of China. This article empirically tests the interaction effects and heterogeneity of agricultural technology extension and social networks on farmers’ adoption of conservation tillage technology and analyzes their substitution effect or complementary effect. The results showed the following: (1) From a single dimension, both agricultural technology extension and social networks can significantly promote farmers’ adoption of conservation tillage technology, and the promotion effect of agricultural technology extension is greater. The average probability of farmers who accept agricultural technology extension and social networks adopting conservation tillage technology increases by 36.49% and 7.09%, respectively. (2) There is a complementary effect between agricultural technology extension and social networks in promoting farmers’ adoption of conservation tillage technology. The two functions complement and support each other, and this complementary effect is more evident in social networks’ reciprocity. (3) Further analysis reveals that the interaction effect between agricultural technology extension and social networks has significant group differences, technology type differences, and regional differences in farmers’ adoption of conservation tillage technology. Therefore, to facilitate the extension and application of conservation tillage technology, efforts need to be made in both agricultural technology extension and social networks, fully leveraging the complementary effects of the two. In addition, differentiated policies and measures should be adopted according to local conditions, and precise policies should be implemented for different groups and technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiabin Xu & Zhaoda Cui & Tianyi Wang & Jingjing Wang & Zhigang Yu & Cuixia Li, 2023. "Influence of Agricultural Technology Extension and Social Networks on Chinese Farmers’ Adoption of Conservation Tillage Technology," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-23, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:6:p:1215-:d:1168886
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    Cited by:

    1. Yihan Chen & Wen Xiang & Minjuan Zhao, 2024. "Impacts of Capital Endowment on Farmers’ Choices in Fertilizer-Reduction and Efficiency-Increasing Technologies (Preferences, Influences, and Mechanisms): A Case Study of Apple Farmers in the Province," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-25, January.
    2. Daisong Yu & Xiao Hai & Zixuan Wang & Haipeng Chen, 2024. "Abatement Effects of Agricultural Non-Point Pollution from Land System Reforms: A Case Study of the Farmland “Three Rights Separation” Reform in China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-19, June.
    3. Xinran Hu & Bin Xiao & Zhihui Tong, 2024. "Technological Integration and Obstacles in China’s Agricultural Extension Systems: A Study on Disembeddedness and Adaptation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-20, January.
    4. Yang Guo & Meiling Cui & Zhigang Xu, 2023. "Spatial Characteristics of Transfer Plots and Conservation Tillage Technology Adoption: Evidence from a Survey of Four Provinces in China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-15, August.
    5. Zhiwu Yang & Jinling Bu & Jiahan Qi & Qing Liu & Yan Song, 2024. "Does Land Approval Facilitate Conservation Tillage? An Examination through the Lens of Straw-Returning Technology," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-18, April.

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