A Cooperative-Dominated Model of Conservation Tillage to Mitigate Soil Degradation on Cultivated Land and Its Effectiveness Evaluation

Yubo Liao, Bangbang Zhang, Xiangbin Kong, Liangyou Wen, Dongheng Yao, Yuxuan Dang and Wenguang Chen
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Yubo Liao: College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Bangbang Zhang: College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang 712100, China
Xiangbin Kong: College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Liangyou Wen: College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Dongheng Yao: College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Yuxuan Dang: College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Wenguang Chen: College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China

Land, 2022, vol. 11, issue 8, 1-19

Abstract: Sustainable agricultural production systems are important for ensuring food security. However, they are severely threatened by soil degradation and carbon emissions resulting from traditional farming practices. A cooperative-dominated conservation tillage model attempts to mitigate these issues, yet it is not clear how this model has been implemented and how well it performs in practice. This study takes Lishu County in Jilin Province in Northeast China as a case study to explore the implementation of a cooperative-dominated conservation tillage (CDCT) model and its practical effectiveness. In contrast to the traditional production model, this model uses cooperatives as the direct managers of cultivated land and promotes the construction of new production units and large-scale and mechanized operations to standardize the application of conservation tillage technology in agricultural production. Scientific research institutes, governments, and enterprises are supporters of cooperatives, empowering them in terms of technology, capital, products, and services. The evaluation results show that, unlike the traditional production model, which caused a decrease in the soil organic carbon content, the organic carbon content of the topsoil of cultivated land under this model increased by an average of 6.17% after 9 years of conservation tillage application. Furthermore, the soil structural stability index of the cultivated land increased from 3.35% to 3.69%, indicating that the degree of soil structural degradation was alleviated to a certain extent. The CDCT model effectively enhanced the operational efficiency and fertilizer use efficiency, and the carbon footprint of maize production was also reduced by 15.65% compared to the traditional production model. In addition, the total production cost was reduced by 1449 CNY/ha and profit increased by 2599 CNY/ha on average, indicating higher economic returns under the CDCT model due to increased yields and lower input costs. Farmers who are freed from agricultural production activities by transferring their farmland can also gain two types of income—land revenue and labor wagesi—thus mproving their living conditions. The CDCT model can deliver multigoal benefits and be of great value in its extension to other regions. This study may provide lessons for the sustainable use of cultivated land in China and other developing countries, contributing to agricultural development with lower environmental costs.

Keywords: soil degradation; carbon emissions; cooperative-dominated conservation tillage model; multi-agents; effectiveness evaluation; sustainable cultivated land use (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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