An analysis of farmers' resource disposal methods for livestock and poultry waste and their determinants

Abstract

Based on field research data on farmers in 30 counties (districts) of six cities in Shandong Province, this study systematically examines the methods of disposal of livestock and poultry waste and the factors that influence them, that is, the determinants of farmers’ waste disposal behaviors, using the UTAUT theoretical framework and a disordered multi-class logit model. The results show that, first, economic performance expectancy, subjective norms, farming population, and poultry and livestock breeding numbers have significant effects on the four waste recycling methods considered: direct return, compost fermentation, biogas fermentation, and fresh-packed sale. Second, annual family income has a positive effect on the direct return method. Third, compost fermentation is positively affected by farmers' knowledge, distance from sources of water, and farming scale, and negatively affected by gender and marital status. Fourth, biogas fermentation is negatively affected by the age of farmers and positively affected by the farming income ratio and environmental convenience. Finally, the most important factors affecting the four methods are subjective norms, farming scale, economic performance expectancy, and farming population. Therefore, this study proposes that policies to promote resource utilization of livestock and poultry waste must prioritize raising awareness among the farmers of the advantages of resource disposal of waste; provide reasonable subsidies for waste recycling and enhance policy applicability, pertinence, and motivation; strengthen the promotion of waste recycling technology and improve the practicality of lectures or training content; and improve relevant laws and regulations and enhance authority and usability.