Effect of Agricultural Social Services on Green Production of Natural Rubber: Evidence from Hainan, China

Jingpeng Chen, Desheng Zhang (), Zhi Chen, Zhijian Li and Zigong Cai ()
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Jingpeng Chen: Management School, Hainan University, Haikou 570100, China
Desheng Zhang: Management School, Hainan University, Haikou 570100, China
Zhi Chen: Management School, Hainan University, Haikou 570100, China
Zhijian Li: The Bartlett Development Planning Unit, University College London, 34 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9EZ, UK
Zigong Cai: Management School, Hainan University, Haikou 570100, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 21, 1-16

Abstract: It is vital to concentrate on conserving the ecological environment and promoting production efficiency in the process of planting natural rubber. Agricultural social services (ASSs) play an essential role in helping rubber farmers to achieve green production. Based on the survey data of 552 natural rubber farmers in Hainan Province, this study builds an index system regarding socialized services for rubber production from three factors: technology extension services, financial insurance services, and market information services. This research uses the slack-based measure (SBM) model and the Tobit model to analyze the green production efficiency (GPE) and the influences of rubber production socialized services on the rubber growers’ green production efficiency. Our results revealed that (1) the average green productivity of rubber planting in Hainan is approximately 0.41, which means that there is ample space for improvement; (2) ASSs have a significant positive effect on increasing the green rubber production efficiency; and (3) among ASSs, the technical extension service has the most significant effect on improving the green production efficiency of the growers. To further raise GPE of natural rubber, the socialized service system can be strengthened in terms of technology, capital, and information. ASSs have noticeable potential in improving the efficiency of rubber green production while ensuring economic, social, and ecological sustainability.

Keywords: natural rubber; agricultural social services; green production efficiency; SBM-Tobit model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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