Summary
This study examines determinants and impacts of soil fertility management practice adoption among Chinese vegetable farmers using farm survey data from 786 producers. Using multivariate probit modelling, the authors identify complementary and substitutional relationships between specific practices (subsoiling, residue returning, soil testing, and fertigation) and find that adoption probability depends on household characteristics, farm tenure security, training access, and social capital. Farmers adopting SFMPs achieve higher profitability from fertilizer use, suggesting economic benefits to complementary soil management investments.
UK applicability
Whilst the findings relate to Chinese smallholder vegetable systems in a developing economy context, the methodological framework and identified determinants of adoption (education, training access, social networks, tenure security) may have relevance to UK policy discussions around incentivising voluntary soil health practices, particularly in horticulture. However, differences in farm scale, soil types, regulatory environment and extension systems would require contextual adaptation.
Key measures
Multivariate probit model outputs on adoption probability; three-stage least squares estimates of fertilizer profitability; correlations between different SFMP combinations (subsoiling, residue returning, soil testing, fertigation)
Outcomes reported
The study measured adoption rates and determinants of multiple soil fertility management practices (SFMPs) among 786 vegetable producers, and quantified the impact of SFMP adoption on fertilizer profitability using causal inference methods.
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