Identifying entry points to improve fertilizer use efficiency in Taihu Basin,China |
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| Institution: | 1. College of Public Administration, Nanjing Agricultural University, Weigang No. 1, 210095 Nanjing, PR China;2. Plant Production Systems Group, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 430, 6700 AK Wageningen, The Netherlands;3. Development Economics Group, Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 8130, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands;1. School of Electric Power Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, 221116 Xuzhou, PR China;2. School of Mechanical Engineering, Shandong University, 250061 Jinan, PR China;3. Shandong Baichuan Tongchuang Energy Company Ltd., 250101 Jinan, PR China;1. Development Economics Group, Wageningen University, Hollandseweg 1, 6706KN Wageningen, The Netherlands;2. Research Center for Rural Economy, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100810, China;3. Business Economics Group, Wageningen University, Hollandseweg 1, 6706KN Wageningen, The Netherlands;4. China Agricultural University, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100193, China;5. Centre for Crop Systems Analysis, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 430, 6700 AK, The Netherlands;1. China Centre for Land Policy Research & College of Public Administration, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China;2. Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands;3. College of Public Administration, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China;1. Agricultural Economics and Rural Policy Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands;2. Management Studies Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands;3. Development Economics Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands;4. School of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China |
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| Abstract: | Overuse of fertilizers in China causes environmental problems and high costs for farmers. In this paper we aim to identify entry points to improve fertilizer use efficiency in Taihu Basin, China. We use stochastic frontier analysis to estimate the technical and fertilizer use efficiency of rice production based on a survey held among 320 households in Wuxi, Zhenjiang and Changzhou, located upstream of Taihu Lake. Subsequently, Tobit model is applied to analyze factors influencing fertilizer use efficiency. The average technical efficiency and fertilizer use efficiency in this area in 2008 were 84.2% and 25.4% respectively. On average, rice production is thus efficient, but fertilizer use efficiency can be substantially improved. The results of the regression analyses explaining fertilizer use efficiency indicate that although extension services have stimulated the use of formula fertilizer in Taihu Basin, the use of formula fertilizer has not (yet) improved fertilizer use efficiency. Environmental awareness on water pollution and on the effect of fertilizers, off-farm income and a positive risk attitude have a significant positive effect on fertilizer use efficiency in Taihu Basin. Possessing a car or truck, labor intensity and the occurrence of disasters, on the other hand, have a significant negative effect on fertilizer use efficiency. Policies aimed at improving fertilizer use efficiency may therefore focus on increasing knowledge on the environment and fertilizer management, improving extension services and encouraging farmers to migrate or work off-farm. |
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