Does land certification increase farmers' use of organic fertilizer? evidence from China

Based on the data from the China Rural Household Panel Survey, a panel logit model is adopted to examine the impact of land certification on farmers' use of organic fertilizers. The results reveal that land certification increases the probability of farmers using organic fertilizer by approximately 15%, with an average expenditure and amount of 35 yuan per mu and 23 kg per mu, respectively. This is mainly achieved by stabilizing farmers' expectations of property rights and increasing the availability of agricultural subsidies. Moreover, it varies significantly with different production characteristics, property rights, and regional groupings. Specifically, land certification mainly benefits small-scale farmers planting food crops, farmers with contracted land or without land adjustment experience, and farmers in western regions, but it is not beneficial for others. The study highlights the role of land certification in improving the quality of cropland and is a reference for China and other developing countries.

Automated summary

By analyzing data from the China Rural Household Panel Survey, a panel logit model is used to investigate the effect of land certification on farmers' use of organic fertilizers. The findings demonstrate that land certification increases the likelihood of farmers using organic fertilizer by approximately 15%, with an average expenditure and amount of 35 yuan per mu and 23 kg per mu, respectively. This is primarily achieved by stabilizing farmers' expectations of property rights and enhancing the accessibility of agricultural subsidies. Additionally, the impact varies significantly depending on different production characteristics, property rights, and regional categorizations. Specifically, land certification is advantageous for small-scale farmers engaged in food crop cultivation, farmers with contracted land or lacking experience in land adjustment, and farmers in western regions, while it does not offer benefits to others. The study highlights the significance of land certification in improving cropland quality and serves as a reference for China and other developing countries.