Effect of farmland scale on agricultural green production technology adoption: Evidence from rice farmers in Jiangsu Province, China

Abstract

Agricultural green production technology (AGPT) is crucial for mitigating farmland pollution and degradation, as well as promoting green agricultural development. Using data from 774 rice farmers in the 2021 China Land Economy Survey (CLES), the study analyzes the impact mechanisms and mediating pathways of farmland scale on AGPT adoption at both the farmer and plot levels. The study also reveals the differences in impact based on the heterogeneity of plot concentrations and technological attributes. The results show that: (1) Farmland scale positively impacts AGPT adoption, both at the farmer and plot level. (2) Farmland scale positively impacts AGPT adoption at two levels by affecting commercialization rate, time preference, and machinery investment. (3) The positive impact of farmland scale are heterogenous at two levels. When rice is scatteringly planted, plot scale has a more significant impact on AGPT adoption than operation scale; however, when rice is concentratedly planted, the situation is the opposite. Additionally, when faced with "capital-increasing, labor-saving, and risks-increasing" technology, operation scale has a more significant impact on AGPT adoption than plot scale; however, when faced with "capital-stabilizing, labor-increasing, and risks-controlling" technologies, the situation is the opposite. These findings help to provide policy implications for promoting AGPT adoption and sustainable farmland use.