The Perception of the National Traceability Platform among Small-Scale Tea Farmers in Typical Agricultural Areas in Central China

Abstract

As one of the key technologies to ensure the safety of agricultural products, the national traceability platform is being widely promoted in China. However, it has not yet been widely adopted among farmers, especially small-scale farmers. Farmers are both producers and direct participants in the traceability of agricultural products. Their perception directly affects the effectiveness of the promotion of the national traceability platform. This study explores the perception of the national traceability platform among small-scale tea farmers in typical agricultural areas in central China. This research employed Q methodology, an approach that integrates both qualitative and quantitative data allowing individuals’ subjective understandings of a specific topic to be studied. The Q-sort procedure was performed in the field with 16 small-scale tea farmers. Next, Q-factor analyses were conducted using the Ken-Q analysis. The results show that small-scale tea farmers have different perceptions of the national traceability platform. Their main characteristics are active participation, resistant participation, risk aversion, and being driven by pressure. These four categories covered 52% of the perceived variance. Meanwhile, there is also a degree of internal consistency in the perception of small-scale tea farmers. Specifically, they are all concerned that participating in the national traceability platform may increase the cost and risk of cultivation and that it is difficult to obtain support from agricultural technicians. Therefore, understanding the perceptions of tea farmers of the national traceability platform is the premise for formulating effective promotion policies. Our research sheds light on the decision-making mechanisms for small-scale tea farmers to participate in national traceability platforms, further expanding the scope of current research on farmer behavior. This research has reference significance for promoting national traceability platforms in China and other countries around the world.

Modeling farmers’ willingness to engage in traceability systems: toward sustainable agricultural transformation

“…Safety awareness (SA) primarily refers to the extent to which farmers prioritize the quality and safety of agricultural products. Engagement in traceability systems can effectively discourage unsafe production practices by farmers, ensuring that they adhere to traceability standards when growing agricultural products (Huang et al, 2022). Pesticides and fertilizers play a crucial role in the production of fresh agricultural products, but the presence of pesticide residues can potentially impact the safety of these products.…”

“…These systems involve recording and tracking information about the production, processing, transportation, and sale of agricultural products. By doing so, they provide valuable insights into the origin, quality, and safety of the products, thereby enhancing consumer trust and confidence in agricultural products (Huang et al, 2022). Consequently, the establishment of traceability systems has become an important measure to ensure food safety and meet consumer demands.…”

“…It is important to highlight that farmers, as a fundamental component of the agricultural supply chain, play a crucial role in promoting traceability systems (Li L. et al, 2021). Farmers' engagement in traceability systems not only enhances the quality and safety of agricultural products but also improves their economic returns and market competitiveness (Huang et al, 2022). Therefore, obtaining a deeper understanding of willingness to engage in traceability systems and the factors that influence it holds great theoretical and practical significance for promoting the construction and development of such systems.…”

Understanding farmers’ intentions to participate in traceability systems: evidence from SEM-ANN-NCA

“…These challenges include high costs, lack of uniform market standards, insufficient technical personnel, and limited government support (Zhang et al, 2010). The majority of farmers in China are small-scale farmers, facing high cultivation risks, which hinders their participation in traceability systems (Huang et al, 2022). International public policies, such as the Food Safety 10-Year Plan (FAO, 2023) and the SDGs (UN, 2015), are collectively working for achieving food safety goals in the agricultural sector.…”