Linking Smallholder Farmers to the Heilongjiang Province Crop Rotation Project: Assessing the Impact on Production and Well-Being

Abstract

Food security and environmental protection—led by sustainable agricultural development—are key development goals of Heilongjiang Province. One of the main challenges facing the Heilongjiang Province is improving soil and livelihood by integrating smallholder farmers into the pilot crop rotation project. This paper investigates a comprehensive project—the new crop rotation pilot project in Heilongjiang (NCRPPH)—which aims to improve the livelihood of the pilot participants by involving smallholder farmers in the pilot crop rotation program and connecting them with the food industry through farmers’ cooperatives. This paper analyzes the impact of the NCRPPH on farmers’ crop rotation, grain yield, multi-agent cooperation, food security, and education based on data collected in 2019 and other retrospective information. The instrumental variable method and three different estimation strategies are used to solve the endogenous problem. The results show that the project has a vast and positive impact on the gross and net value of grain production per hectare and the share of products sold to food manufacturers through cooperatives. Regardless of the farm size, farmers have equal opportunities from which they can benefit. In addition, our analysis shows that the NCRPPH improves the educational situation and food security without affecting crop rotation practices. Finally, our research proves the effectiveness of this project.

Unraveling On-Farm Wheat Loss in Fars Province, Iran: A Qualitative Analysis and Exploration of Potential Solutions with Emphasis on Agricultural Cooperatives

“…Moreover, cooperative efforts can result in savings on farming equipment and labor, as well as an improved knowledge and ability in using crop rotation and intercropping, further enhancing the sustainability of farming practices [131]. In addition, cooperatives can play a crucial role in helping farmers plan their crop rotations, which is essential in maintaining the long-term sustainability of agricultural practices [132]. By advising on which crops to grow in which fields, and in what order, cooperatives can contribute to improving soil health, reducing pest infestations, and boosting yields.…”

Enhancing household Soybean Processing and Utilization in the Eastern Province of Zambia, a concurrent triangulation study design

“…Socioeconomic factors include; awareness, production costs, access to market, diversification at the farm and membership to farmer's organization as well as sociodemographic factors and technology. Awareness factors include; lack of awareness regarding health benefits of the Soybean products and effective ongoing training on how to process Soybeans as well as level of education [5], [12], [15], [16]. Production factors are farm size, cost of improved soya bean seeds, low fertilizer use as well as affordable credit services were also reported [7], [17]- [20].…”

“…Market related factors are farmers' inability to access favorable Soybean outputs and processing markets [7], [15], [17], [21]. Farm diversification such as off-farm income, ownership of livestock as well as membership to farmer's organizations [16]- [20]. Sociodemographic factors include age, occupation and gender.…”

The Effect of Technical Training Provided by Agricultural Cooperatives on Farmers’ Adoption of Organic Fertilizers in China: Based on the Mediation Role of Ability and Perception

“…Most of the technical training provided by the training subjects often has weak targeting, substantial limitations, a small service audience, and other defects. Through one-on-one training and field guidance, agricultural cooperatives have apparent advantages in training farmers and promoting agricultural technologies [ 19 , 20 ]. For example, regarding technology adoption, Wang et al and Suvedi et al found that farmers who join cooperatives have easier access to advanced technologies and make more rational technology-adoption decisions [ 21 , 22 ].…”