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Why Should We Protect the Interests of “Green Food” Certified Product Growers? Evidence from Kiwifruit Production in China

Author

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  • Ruifeng Liu

    (College of Economics and Management, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China)

  • Zhifeng Gao

    (Food and Resource Economics Department, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110240, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA)

  • Gongan Yan

    (College of Economics and Management, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China)

  • Hengyun Ma

    (College of Economics and Management, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China)

Abstract

Governments and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have promoted environmental and social certification programs for growers because the market for green certification is seen as offering higher prices and higher incomes. Previous studies have examined how “green food” certification affects economic and environmental benefits, but none have studied its impact on production behavior. In this study we conducted a household survey of 398 randomly selected growers of traditional and green food certified kiwifruit in Xixia county of Henan province, China. The results show that characteristically, green food certified growers can have a significantly higher total cost as well as employed cost compared to the matched noncertified growers. Based on the results, we conclude the potential advantages of green food certified kiwifruit products and basic conditions for its sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruifeng Liu & Zhifeng Gao & Gongan Yan & Hengyun Ma, 2018. "Why Should We Protect the Interests of “Green Food” Certified Product Growers? Evidence from Kiwifruit Production in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:12:p:4797-:d:190904
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    2. Yu Chang & Tao Zhang, 2019. "The Effects of Product Consistency and Consumer Resistance to Innovation on Green Product Diffusion in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-14, May.

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