Journal of Ecology and Rural Environment ›› 2020, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (9): 1141-1148.doi: 10.19741/j.issn.1673-4831.2019.0784

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Will Livelihood Capital Affect Farmers' Organic Fertilizer Application Behavior?

WANG Xuan1,2, ZHANG Jun-biao1,2, HE Ke1,3   

  1. 1. College of Economics and Management, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China;
    2. Hubei Rural Development Research Center, Wuhan 430070, China;
    3. Hubei Institute of Ecological Civilization Construction, Wuhan 430070, China
  • Received:2019-10-08 Published:2020-09-17

Abstract: Ecologically protecting farmland soil is an effective way to ensure the quality of agricultural products and to enhance the capacity for agricultural sustainable development. Based on 998 microcosmic survey data in rural Hubei Province in 2017, this paper explores the effects of livelihood capital on farmers' organic fertilizer application behavior from the perspective of family life cycle. Binary Probit model is employed. Results show that: (1) Financial capital, natural capital, material capital and social capital are 4 components of livelihood capital that are significantly influencing farmers' behavior of organic fertilizer application. (2) The family life cycle variable has a significant effect on farmers' organic fertilizer application behavior. Compared with farmers at the initial stage, those farmers at the maintenance period, the burden period, the stable period and the "empty nest" period are more likely to apply organic fertilizer. (3) With farmers at different family life cycle stages concerned, the financial capital and natural capital mainly affect farmers' organic fertilizer application behavior at the maintenance period, the material capital mainly influences farmers' organic fertilizer application behavior at the burden period or the "empty nest" stage, the social capital mainly affects those at the maintenance period, the burden period or the stable period, while the human capital mainly influences farmers' organic fertilizer application behavior at the burden period and the support period. Based on the above results, some specific suggestions are put forward to different types of farmers for promoting their willingness on organic fertilizer application for agricultural green production.

Key words: farmer, family life cycle, livelihood capital, organic fertilizer application

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