Reduction of Fertilizer Use in South China—Impacts and Implications on Smallholder Rice Farmers

Helena Wehmeyer, Annalyn H. de Guia and Melanie Connor
Additional contact information
Helena Wehmeyer: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila 1301, Philippines
Annalyn H. de Guia: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila 1301, Philippines
Melanie Connor: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila 1301, Philippines

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 6, 1-21

Abstract: Despite the overuse of fertilizer in China, yields have stagnated while environmental pollution has risen. To increase sustainable production, the “Three Controls” Technology (3CT) was adopted in Guangdong Province as an agricultural best management practice for rice production. Its goal is to reduce the fertilizer use of farmers while decreasing the number of unproductive tillers and controlling pests and diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the farmers’ perception of 3CT focusing on three different impact factors: economic, social, and environmental. Using a digital survey questionnaire application, 142 farmers from six villages in Guangdong Province were interviewed to evaluate perceived changes in their farming and livelihood since adopting 3CT. Results showed that the farmers were highly satisfied with 3CT. They perceived positive livelihood changes and increased agronomic performance with reduced fertilizer use. Farmers who had adopted 3CT for the longest perceived significantly higher levels of change, more benefits, and improved agricultural efficiency. The study showed that 3CT is highly appreciated by farmers due to its effectiveness, ease of use, and compatibility. Our model highlighted the relevance of including social and environmental impact analysis for sustainability research in agriculture. Ultimately, 3CT has the potential of being implemented in other regions of China.

Keywords: sustainable agriculture; best management practices; input use; fertilizer reduction; perception; impact; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/6/2240/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/6/2240/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:6:p:2240-:d:332010

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().