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Role of Social Learning in the Diffusion of Environmentally-Friendly Agricultural Technology in China

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  • Qi Li

    (China Academy for Rural Development, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Wanjiang Yang

    (China Academy for Rural Development, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Kai Li

    (China Academy for Rural Development, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
    School of Management, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China)

Abstract

Reducing the use of chemical inputs is an urgent and challenging task in the transformation toward environmentally-friendly agriculture in China, especially when the efficacy of alternative control measures is not yet fully understood. Based on the data from 601 rice farmer households regarding their adoption of fertilizer- and pesticide-reducing technologies in Zhejiang and Jiangsu Provinces, this study investigated whether social learning can promote the diffusion of fertilizer- and pesticide-reducing technologies, and whether the role of social learning varies when the technologies differ. Empirical analysis using the spatial error model (SEM) showed that social learning positively affects the diffusion of ecological technologies, but the role of social learning varies when the technology characteristics differ. Learning from neighbors promotes the adoption of labor-intensive and high-skilled technologies, but this strategy does not work well in capital-intensive technologies. However, learning from demonstration significantly affected the diffusion of capital-intensive and high-skilled technologies, but did not work well for labor-intensive technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Qi Li & Wanjiang Yang & Kai Li, 2018. "Role of Social Learning in the Diffusion of Environmentally-Friendly Agricultural Technology in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-12, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:5:p:1527-:d:145754
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    3. Li, Qi & Li, Kai, 2020. "Rice farmers’ demands for productive services: evidence from Chinese farmers," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 23(3), September.
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    6. Praveen Koovalamkadu Velayudhan & Alka Singh & Girish Kumar Jha & Pramod Kumar & Kingsly Immanuelraj Thanaraj & Aditya Korekallu Srinivasa, 2021. "What Drives the Use of Organic Fertilizers? Evidence from Rice Farmers in Indo-Gangetic Plains, India," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-13, August.
    7. Traxler, Emilia & Li, Tongzhe, 2020. "Agricultural Best Management Practices, A summary of adoption behaviour," Working Papers 305271, University of Guelph, Institute for the Advanced Study of Food and Agricultural Policy.
    8. Li, Qi & Li, Kai, 2021. "Re-examining the Effect of Social Embeddedness on Technology Diffusion from the Perspective of Scale Differentiation— A Case Study from China," 2021 ASAE 10th International Conference (Virtual), January 11-13, Beijing, China 329394, Asian Society of Agricultural Economists (ASAE).
    9. Wang, Chaofan & Wang, Yilan & Zhao, Yujia & Shuai, Jing & Shuai, Chuanmin & Cheng, Xin, 2023. "Cognition process and influencing factors of rural residents' adoption willingness for solar PV poverty alleviation projects: Evidence from a mixed methodology in rural China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 271(C).
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