Factors Influencing the Adoption of Pasture Crop Rotation in the Semiarid Area of China's Loess Plateau

Abstract

Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa L.) pasture crop rotations (PCR) have been promoted in the semiarid region of northern China for many years, with seemingly limited success. Using a logistic regression model, this paper evaluated the determinants of adoption of PCR among smallholder farmers in rain-fed farming systems, based on a survey of 238 farmers in the hilly area of the Loess Plateau in 2004 and 2005. Results indicated that farmers' socio-economic background, farm-related conditions, and institutional factors significantly affect their decision of whether or not to adopt PCR. First, the age of farmers, the size of their family, the number of ruminants owned, and farmers' attitude toward PCR have significant Xue-Feng He is affiliated with the MOE Key JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTUREpositive effects on the adoption of PCR, where the level of the family income is low. Second, the slope of the field and fallow practice variables also play a critical role in the adoption of PCR, suggesting the importance of targeting the promotion of PCR among farmers in areas affected by soil erosion. The analysis also showed that farmers' perception of the problem of soil erosion is positively correlated with adoption of PCR, having the most significant impact with the highest estimated elasticity. The likelihood a farmer who perceived soil erosion as a problem would adopt PCR was 225 greater than that of a farmer who did not have such perceptions. Third, the institutional variables, which are represented by contacts with extension workshops, a participatory approach, the credit and training facilities obtained, and participation in the Grain-for-Green project (PGFG), all had significant positive effects on the adoption of PCR. On the other hand, participation in the rainwater-harvesting project and in the supplementary irrigation project did not show any correlation with the adoption of PCR by farmers. Variables such as education level, the size of farms, farm tenure, off-farm employment, and distance between the farm and the farmers' residence did not significantly influence the adoption of PCR. This information will help prioritize factors that affect decision-making in the adoption of PCR and will provide insights into ways of increasing the adoption of PCR by farmers.

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