Factors affecting Chinese farmers' decisions to adopt a water-saving technology

Chinese farm households (N = 240) were interviewed to understand some of the factors affecting their adoption of a water-saving technology called the Ground Cover Rice Production System (GCRPS). A logit model was established on the basis of a survey to estimate the determinants of adoption and to simulate impacts of changes in these determinants on adoption potential. There are no significant influences of age and number of laborers on the probability of GCRPS adoption. Male farm managers had higher adoption probabilities than female farm managers. Large farms had higher adoption probability than small farms. Off-farm occupation of farm managers had negative influences on adoption. Education had complex impacts on GCRPS adoption in China. The farm manager with middle school education had low probability in GCRPS adoption, whereas the farm manager with primary education and high education had high probability of adoption. Previous experience with GCRPS had a positive impact on adoption. Membership in extension service was an important driving factor of adoption. Farmers with high income showed a high probability to adopt GCRPS. Soil type was also an important determinant in GCRPS adoption, probability of GCRPS adoption was very low at red soil, but high at yellow and brown soil. Low reliability of irrigation water supply led to a high rate of adoption, whereas high reliability of water supply led to a low rate of adoption.