Modelling Fertilizer Use in Relation to Farmers’ Household Characteristics in Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China

Abstract

Non-point source pollution from excessive use of fertilizers in agriculture is a major cause of the eutrophication problem in China. Understanding farmers’ decision-making concerning fertilization and identifying the influencing factors in this process are key to tackling overfertilization and related pollution issues. This paper reports a study on modelling decisions about fertilizer use based on data collected from 200 farmer households in the Three Gorges Reservoir area of China, using a well-fitted artificial neural network (ANN) with incorporated variance-based sensitivity analysis. The rate of fertilizer use estimated from the model is in good agreement with observed data. The model is further validated and tested by comparing the simulated and observed values. Results show that the model is able to identify the influencing factors and their interactions causing the variation in fertilizer use and to help pinpoint the underlying reasons. It is found that the farmers’ fertilization behavior is greatly affected by the area of cultivated land, followed by the interaction among farmers’ education level, annual income, and awareness of the importance of environmental protection. Future land consolidation is one of several ways to achieve more sustainable fertilization strategies.

Will the Adoption of Early Fertigation Techniques Hinder Famers’ Technology Renewal? Evidence from Fresh Growers in Shaanxi, China

“…Similarly, Moges and Taye [15] explained this correlation as a positive correlation between farmers' education and cognition, and a high cognitive level can improve the adoption level. Most studies have found that young and highly educated farmers have a higher adoption level, which is similar to our conclusion [1,17,24]. However, some studies have found that demographic variables do not continue to play a role, but depend on the complexity of technology [55].…”

“…The inefficient use of chemical fertilizer has always been a major cause of agricultural environmental pollution [1,2], and fertigation is regarded as an effective solution [2]. According to Fan et al [3], fertigation can keep the output unchanged, while saving 30-50% fertilizers and 50% water.…”

“…In addition, age, gender, education, and other demographic characteristics Agriculture 2021, 11, 913 2 of 17 also affect the adoption of fertigation techniques [14,15]. At present, with the enrichment of relevant research, factors have expanded to psychological factors, such as environmental attitude [1,16,17]. In general, regardless of the factors studied, most of the current research focuses on linear technology renewal, that is, in all papers, farmers are at the same technical level before adopting the new technology.…”

“…This kind of factor is farmers' endowment, which determines whether the technology is suitable for the specific farmer, and ultimately affects their adoption intentions [17]. We will not consider other factors, such as environmental attitudes [1], as the two types of techniques are similar.…”

The linkage among the agribusiness system cassava industrialization in trenggalek regency, east java, indonesia

“…The high price of fertilizer will reduce income due to the high use of fertilizers [16]. The farmers who follow the guidelines in the use of fertilizers will get higher crop yields and incomes will increase [17]. Therefore the combination of chemical and organic fertilizers is suggested and highly practiced by the farmers [18].…”