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Rising Herbicide Use and Its Driving Forces in China

Author

Listed:
  • Jikun Huang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Peking University)

  • Shukun Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Zhihua Xiao

    (Peking University
    Inner Mongolia Agricultural University)

Abstract

China is one of the developing countries that has experienced rapid growth in herbicide use in the past two decades. However, little information is available on what drive this growing use of herbicides. This study aims for a better understanding of the trend and major factors that affect herbicide use in China. Based on national aggregate data and primary household survey data, this study shows that besides falling herbicide prices, rising wages have been a major driver of this rapid growth since the mid-2000s. Analyses based on household data show that off-farm rural labor employment away from home province contributes to the increasing use of herbicides in wheat and maize production. In addition, irrigation and farmers’ education have significant impacts on herbicide use. With increasing wages and off-farm rural labor employment, we expect herbicide use in China to continue rising.

Suggested Citation

  • Jikun Huang & Shukun Wang & Zhihua Xiao, 2017. "Rising Herbicide Use and Its Driving Forces in China," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 29(3), pages 614-627, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:29:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1057_s41287-017-0081-8
    DOI: 10.1057/s41287-017-0081-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Steven Haggblade & Bart Minten & Carl Pray & Thomas Reardon & David Zilberman, 2017. "The Herbicide Revolution in Developing Countries: Patterns, Causes, and Implications," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 29(3), pages 533-559, July.
    3. Bequet, Ludovic, 2020. "Biotech Crops, Input Use and Landslides Case Study of Herbicide Tolerant Corn in the Philippine Highlands," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    4. Wen-Tien Tsai, 2020. "Status of herbicide use, regulatory management and case study of paraquat in Taiwan," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 2673-2683, March.
    5. Bequet, Ludovic, 2020. "Biotech Crops, Input Use and Landslides: The case of Genetically Modified Corn in the Philippine Highlands," MPRA Paper 98225, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Steven Haggblade & Amadou Diarra & Abdramane Traoré, 2022. "Regulating agricultural intensification: Lessons from West Africa’s rapidly growing pesticide markets," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 40(1), January.
    7. Steven Haggblade & Naman Keita & Abdramane Traoré & Pierre Traoré & Amadou Diarra & Véronique Thériault, 2023. "Unregistered pesticides: Prevalence, risks, and responses in Mali," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 54(4), pages 542-556, July.

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