Factors Influencing the Technology Adoption Behaviours of Litchi Farmers in China

Hui Li, Diejun Huang, Qiuzhuo Ma, Wene Qi and Hua Li
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Hui Li: College of Economics and Management, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Diejun Huang: Institute of Geography and Tourism, Guangdong University of Finance & Economics, Guangzhou 510320, China
Qiuzhuo Ma: Business School, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou 510420, China
Wene Qi: College of Economics and Management, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Hua Li: College of Economics and Management, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Litchi is a traditional tree crop grown in Southern China. Sustainable development of the litchi industry is reliant on technology adoption by farmers. The top grafting technique allows for the introduction of new, quality litchi varieties. The fact that these new varieties ripen earlier or later than the traditional ones helps stabilize litchi prices. Selling new litchi varieties can increase farmers’ incomes through higher prices of quality varieties and stabilizing prices by staggering the harvest periods. However, the rate of adoption of top grafting among farmers is low, and up till now, more than half of the litchi trees in China are still traditional litchi varieties. This study explores the factors that influence top grafting adoption by litchi farmers. Using primary data gathered by the China Agriculture Research System of Litchi and Longan (CARSLL) from 567 litchi farming households, a binary logit choice model is employed to determine the factors that influence adoption of litchi top grafting among litchi farmers. The results show that farmers owning larger litchi orchards are more likely to adopt top grafting compared to ones owning smaller orchards. Litchi information accumulation, including experience and training, significantly influences farmers’ technology adoption levels. Moreover, a positive attitude toward technology also significantly influences technology adoption behaviours.

Keywords: technology adoption; farmer behaviour; binary logit choice model; litchi; top grafting technique; China P.R. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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