Linking Prohibited Grazing Policy to Farmers’ Subjective Well-Being: A Case Study in Yanchi County, China

Abstract

Since the launch of a prohibited grazing policy (PGP) in 2002, the ecological environment in North China has improved markedly. The aims of PGP are to improve the ecological environment without reducing farmers’ well-being in rural areas. Hence, after the implementation of the policy for more than 16 years, the effect of this policy on farmers’ subjective well-being (SWB) has become a question that needs to be studied. In this paper, the survey data in Yanchi County was used to explore the relationship between the perception of the policy and farmers’ SWB using structural equation modelling (SEM). The results showed that there was a full mediation effect in the relationship between the perception of the PGP and farmers’ SWB through economic status, neuroticism, and extraversion. However, the mediation effect through the perception of the ecological environment was not significant. These findings suggest that it is important to continue to implement this policy.

Prohibited Grazing Policy Satisfaction and Life Satisfaction in Rural Northwest China—A Case Study in Yanchi County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region

“…This variable is affected by the PGP and may have a significant effect on PGP and life satisfaction. Previous studies showed that non-agricultural income, self-reported income, and expenses have an effect on respondents’ satisfaction [37,38]; thus, we added these two variables into the study.…”

Exploring the Sustainable Use Strategy of Scarce Water Resources for Rural Revitalization in Yanchi County from Arid Region of Northwest China

“…It is estimated that Tan sheep will be increased from the current 3.10 million to 3.80 million by 2025. However, Tan sheep production modes have changed from free grazing to house feeding since the prohibited grazing policy launched in 2002 [ 47 ]. Local government has plans to increase planting areas of day lily, Chinese medicinal materials, coarse cereals and pasture in order to provide enough forage for Tan sheep ( Table 3 ).…”

(Why) Do farmers’ Big Five personality traits matter? – A systematic literature review

“…Five papers associate personality traits with pro-environmental behavior. Significant results for neuroticism are discussed only in one paper, it is negatively associated with the perception of the environment (e.g., satisfaction of environment) and perception of a pro-environmental policy (e.g., policy improved ecological environment) (Wang et al, 2019). Significant results regarding conscientiousness and agreeableness are reported in two papers each.…”

“…In addition, agreeableness has been found to be negatively related to the adoption of current recommended practices in the management of remnant bush and revegetation (Crase and Maybery, 2004). Significant results regarding extraversion are found in three papers: extraversion favors the adoption of environmentally oriented behaviors (Austin et al, 2001), perception of a pro-environmental policy (e.g., policy improved ecological environment) (Wang et al, 2019) as well as sustainability and pro-environmental behavior (Willock et al, 1999). Four out of five papers find significant results for openness and proenvironmental behavior: It is positively associated with pro-environmental behavior (Willock et al, 1999), the adoption of current recommended practices in the management of remnant bush and revegetation (Crase and Maybery, 2004), and environmentally oriented behavior (Austin et al, 2001).…”