IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v16y2024i15p6498-d1445832.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Environmental Impact of Agricultural Land Transfer in China: A Systematic Review on Sustainability

Author

Listed:
  • Meseret C. Abate

    (Institute of Rural Revitalization, School of Tourism and Cultural Industry, Hunan University of Science and Engineering, Yongzhou 425199, China)

  • Zhen He

    (Institute of Rural Revitalization, School of Tourism and Cultural Industry, Hunan University of Science and Engineering, Yongzhou 425199, China)

  • Baozhong Cai

    (Institute of Rural Revitalization, School of Tourism and Cultural Industry, Hunan University of Science and Engineering, Yongzhou 425199, China)

  • Yuangji Huang

    (Institute of Rural Revitalization, School of Tourism and Cultural Industry, Hunan University of Science and Engineering, Yongzhou 425199, China)

  • Geremew Betelhemabraham

    (School of Public Administration, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China)

  • Tesfaye Bayu

    (Department of Natural Resources Management, Debre Markos University Burie Campus, Burie P.O. Box 18, Ethiopia)

  • Amsalu K. Addis

    (School of Business, Hubei University, Wuhan 430061, China)

Abstract

Farmland holding fragmentation facilitates more extensive use of agricultural chemicals, which harm the natural environment. Agricultural land transfer in China aims to consolidate agricultural holdings, promoting economies of scale and addressing socio-economic and environmental concerns. This systematic review aims to examine the impact of agricultural land transfer on the environment. The review evaluates 60 empirical research articles retrieved through the Web of Science and SCOPUS databases, which discuss the relationship between agricultural land transfer and the environment. The findings indicate that agricultural land transfer has both positive and negative impacts on the environment. Farmers who engage in land rental and adopt sustainable agricultural practices, including the utilization of organic fertilizers, implementation of conservation measures, and application of efficient carbon reduction techniques, have demonstrated a notable positive influence on the environment. The lack of regulatory mechanisms concerning agricultural land transfer, including non-adjacent agricultural land transfer and large-scale farmers’ improper chemical utilization, causes significant negative environmental consequences such as biodiversity loss and ecosystem destruction. As such, we recommend innovative institutional developments addressing spatial and temporal considerations, land use, market systems, and household conditions to reconcile the links between agricultural land transfer policy and environmental outcomes. We urge continued research into the multidimensional and potential effects of agricultural land transfer to facilitate better-informed policy-making.

Suggested Citation

  • Meseret C. Abate & Zhen He & Baozhong Cai & Yuangji Huang & Geremew Betelhemabraham & Tesfaye Bayu & Amsalu K. Addis, 2024. "Environmental Impact of Agricultural Land Transfer in China: A Systematic Review on Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-25, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:15:p:6498-:d:1445832
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/15/6498/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/15/6498/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ephraim Nkonya & Alisher Mirzabaev & Joachim von Braun (ed.), 2016. "Economics of Land Degradation and Improvement – A Global Assessment for Sustainable Development," Springer Books, Springer, number 978-3-319-19168-3, July.
    2. Meredith J. Soule & Abebayehu Tegene & Keith D. Wiebe, 2000. "Land Tenure and the Adoption of Conservation Practices," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 82(4), pages 993-1005.
    3. Junqian Wu & Xin Wen & Xiulin Qi & Shile Fang & Chenxi Xu, 2021. "More Land, Less Pollution? How Land Transfer Affects Fertilizer Application," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-13, October.
    4. Xinjian Chen & Di Zeng & Ying Xu & Xiaojun Fan, 2018. "Perceptions, Risk Attitude and Organic Fertilizer Investment: Evidence from Rice and Banana Farmers in Guangxi, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-14, October.
    5. Zhichao Xue & Lin Zhen, 2018. "Impact of Rural Land Transfer on Land Use Functions in Western China’s Guyuan Based on a Multi-Level Stakeholder Assessment Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-21, April.
    6. Wang Ge & Shiyun Zhang & Yan Lu & Jiyu Jiang & Hui Jiang & Xiaona Cheng, 2022. "Can Higher Land Rentals Promote Soil Conservation of Large-Scale Farmers in China?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-14, November.
    7. Lili Guo & Yuting Song & Mengqian Tang & Jinyang Tang & Bright Senyo Dogbe & Mengying Su & Houjian Li, 2022. "Assessing the Relationship among Land Transfer, Fertilizer Usage, and PM 2.5 Pollution: Evidence from Rural China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-18, July.
    8. Gao, Liangliang & Sun, Dingqiang & Huang, Jikun, 2017. "Impact of land tenure policy on agricultural investments in China: Evidence from a panel data study," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 244-252.
    9. Mingyong Hong & Lei Lou, 2022. "Research on the Impact of Farmland Transfer on Rural Household Consumption: Evidence from Yunnan Province, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-21, November.
    10. Weiming Tong & Kevin Lo & Pingyu Zhang, 2020. "Land Consolidation in Rural China: Life Satisfaction among Resettlers and Its Determinants," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-15, April.
    11. Jia, R. & Lu, Q., 2018. "Land Transfer, Collective Action and the Implementation of Soil and Water Conservation Measures in the Loess Plateau of China," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277124, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    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. Meseret Abatechanie & Baozhong Cai & Fang Shi & Yuanji Huang, 2022. "The Environmental and Socio-Economic Effect of Farmland Management Right Transfer in China: A Systematic Review," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-21, August.
    2. Bo Li & Ruimei Wang & Quan Lu, 2021. "Land Tenure and Cotton Farmers’ Land Improvement: Evidence from State-Owned Farms in Xinjiang, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-20, December.
    3. Adewale Henry Adenuga & Claire Jack & Ronan McCarry, 2021. "The Case for Long-Term Land Leasing: A Review of the Empirical Literature," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-21, March.
    4. Ziming Bai & Xiaochen Zhang & Jiabin Xu & Cuixia Li, 2024. "Can Farmland Transfer Reduce Fertilizer Nonpoint Source Pollution? Evidence from China," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-20, June.
    5. Kim, Seon-Ae & Westra, John V. & Gillespie, Jeffrey M., 2006. "Factors Influencing the Adoption of Russian Varroa-Resistant Honey Bees," 2006 Annual Meeting, February 5-8, 2006, Orlando, Florida 35311, Southern Agricultural Economics Association.
    6. Nadella, Karthik & Deaton, Brady & Lawley, Chad & Weersink, Alfons, 2014. "Do farmers treat rented land differently than the land they own? A fixed effects model of farmer’s decision to adopt conservation practices on owned and rented land," 2014 Annual Meeting, July 27-29, 2014, Minneapolis, Minnesota 170633, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    7. Wade, Tara & Kurkalova, Lyubov & Secchi, Silvia, 2016. "Modeling Field-Level Conservation Tillage Adoption with Aggregate Choice Data," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 41(2), May.
    8. Sheng Gong & Jason.S. Bergtold & Elizabeth Yeager, 2021. "Assessing the joint adoption and complementarity between in-field conservation practices of Kansas farmers," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 9(1), pages 1-24, December.
    9. Zvirgzdiņš Jānis & Plotka Kaspars & Geipele Sanda, 2018. "Eco-Economics in Cities and Rural Areas," Baltic Journal of Real Estate Economics and Construction Management, Sciendo, vol. 6(1), pages 88-99, July.
    10. Johansson, Robert C. & Kara, Erdal & Ribaudo, Marc, 2006. "On how environmental stringency influences BMP adoption," 2006 Annual meeting, July 23-26, Long Beach, CA 21207, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    11. Diane L. Haase & Karma Bouzza & Lucy Emerton & James B. Friday & Becca Lieberg & Arnulfo Aldrete & Anthony S. Davis, 2021. "The High Cost of the Low-Cost Polybag System: A Review of Nursery Seedling Production Systems," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-19, August.
    12. Morrison, Mark, 2005. "Identifying Market Segments for Technology Adoption," 2005 Conference (49th), February 9-11, 2005, Coff's Harbour, Australia 137937, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.
    13. Lili Guo & Yuting Song & Mengqian Tang & Jinyang Tang & Bright Senyo Dogbe & Mengying Su & Houjian Li, 2022. "Assessing the Relationship among Land Transfer, Fertilizer Usage, and PM 2.5 Pollution: Evidence from Rural China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-18, July.
    14. Caroline Roussy & Aude Ridier & Karim Chaïb, 2014. "Adoption d’innovations par les agriculteurs : rôle des perceptions et des préférences," Post-Print hal-01123427, HAL.
    15. Azamat Azarov & Roy C. Sidle & Dietrich Darr & Vladimir Verner & Zbynek Polesny, 2024. "A Proposed Typology of Farming Systems for Assessing Sustainable Livelihood Development Pathways in the Tien Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-18, January.
    16. Xiaoyan Yi & Qinqi Zou & Zewei Zhang & Sheng-Han-Erin Chang, 2023. "What Motivates Greenhouse Vegetable Farmers to Adapt Organic-Substitute-Chemical-Fertilizer (OSCF)? An Empirical Study from Shandong, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-14, January.
    17. Bergtold, Jason S. & Duffy, Patricia A. & Hite, Diane & Raper, Randy L., 2008. "Demographic and Management Factors Affecting the Perceived Benefit of Winter Cover Crops in the Southeast," 2008 Annual Meeting, July 27-29, 2008, Orlando, Florida 6424, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    18. Jenkins, Amanda & Velandia, Margarita & Lambert, Dayton M. & Roberts, Roland K. & Larson, James A. & English, Burton C. & Martin, Steven W., 2011. "Factors Influencing the Selection of Precision Farming Information Sources by Cotton Producers," Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 40(2), pages 307-320, September.
    19. Wakjira Takala Dibaba & Dessalegn Geleta Ebsa, 2022. "Identifying Erosion Hot Spot Areas And Evaluation Of Best Management Practices In The Toba Watershed, Ethiopia," Water Conservation & Management (WCM), Zibeline International Publishing, vol. 6(1), pages 30-38, February.
    20. Rahelizatovo, Noro C. & Gillespie, Jeffrey M., 2004. "The Adoption of Best-Management Practices by Louisiana Dairy Producers," Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 36(1), pages 229-240, April.

    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:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:15:p:6498-:d:1445832. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.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.