Impact of Agricultural Mechanization Level on Farmers’ Health Status in Western China: Analysis Based on CHARLS Data

Huaquan Zhang, Zhenyao Yang, Yidan Wang, Martinson Ankrah Twumasi () and Abbas Ali Chandio
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Huaquan Zhang: College of Economics, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Zhenyao Yang: College of Economics, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Yidan Wang: College of Economics, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Martinson Ankrah Twumasi: College of Economics, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Abbas Ali Chandio: College of Economics, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-20

Abstract: Agricultural mechanization is an important component of agricultural modernization, as it contributes to the improvement of agricultural technology and the rapid transformation of agricultural development. However, research on the connection between agricultural mechanization and farmers’ health status is scarce. Thus, using the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS) data, this study explored how agricultural mechanization can affect farmers’ health. OLS and 2SLS models were used for the study’s analysis. Furthermore, we used a PSM model to check the robustness of our analysis. The findings showed that: (1) the current state of agricultural mechanization in western China harms the health of rural residents; (2) agricultural mechanization can mitigate the adverse effects on health by increasing farmers’ living expenditure and improving their living environment; and (3) agricultural mechanization’s effects on farmers’ health are regionally and income-heterogeneous. Agricultural mechanization has a more significant impact on health in Tibetan areas and high-income regions. It has an almost minimal effect in non-Tibetan and low-income areas. This paper suggests approaches that can be used to encourage the rational development of agricultural mechanization and improve rural populations’ health.

Keywords: agricultural mechanization; health status; agricultural machinery extension (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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