The Role of Climate Change Perceptions in Sustainable Agricultural Development: Evidence from Conservation Tillage Technology Adoption in Northern China

Leshan Yu, Hengtong Shi (), Haixia Wu, Xiangmiao Hu, Yan Ge, Leshui Yu and Wenyu Cao
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Leshan Yu: International Business School, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China
Hengtong Shi: International Business School, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China
Haixia Wu: Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing 100081, China
Xiangmiao Hu: International Business School, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China
Yan Ge: School of Public Finance and Taxation, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing 100081, China
Leshui Yu: School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China
Wenyu Cao: School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-25

Abstract: Encouraging the use of conservation tillage technology is a highly effective approach to safeguarding soil health, improving the environment, and promoting sustainable agricultural development. With the mounting concerns surrounding climate change, developing conservation tillage methods that facilitate sustainable agricultural growth has become an imperative both in China and around the world. While it is widely recognized that adapting to climate change is crucial in agriculture, there is limited research on evaluating the risks, discovering resilience, measuring farmers’ perceptions on climate change, and exploring how tillage technology can be adjusted in the context of small-scale farming in China to foster sustainable development. Using research data from smallholder farmers in the Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces of China, this paper aims to explore the impact of climate change perceptions on farmers’ adoption of conservation tillage technologies based on an ordered Probit model. We found that farmers tend to refrain from embracing conservation tillage technology due to the presence of unclear and conflicting perceptions regarding climate change. Focus on short-term profitability and inadequate preparation hinder them from prioritizing adaptation. We recognized several measures that could help farmers adapt and thrive within the agricultural sector. Furthermore, we have validated the need for self-system moderation in promoting farmers’ adoption of conservation tillage technology. By utilizing such tools and resources, farmers can comprehend the gravity of climate change’s impact on agricultural productivity and, more importantly, channel their efforts towards fortifying resilience to extreme weather conditions and long-term climate risks, thus fortifying agricultural sustainability.

Keywords: sustainable development; climate change; climate change perceptions; conservation tillage technology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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