Comparative analysis of influence factors on arable land use intensity at farm household level: A case study comparing Suyu District of Suqian City and Taixing City, Jiangsu Province, China

Abstract

Using data from the farm household survey conducted in 2009, arable land use intensity (ALUI) and its influence factors at farm household level were investigated by the Tobit model. Suyu District of Suqian City and Taixing City of Jiansu Province, China were chosen as the regions for comparison. The results show that: 1) On the average, the ALUI, labor intensity, yield-increasing input, and labor-saving input are 15 238.14 yuan (RMB)/ha, 192 d/ha, 7233.01 yuan/ha, and 2451.32 yuan/ha in the less economically developed Suyu District, and 13 020.65 yuan/ha, 181 d/ha, 5871.82 yuan/ha, and 2625.97 yuan/ha in more economically developed Taixing City. The figures indicate that Suyu District has higher ALUI and labor intensity input but lower labor-saving input. 2) Comparing all the influence factors, the total arable land area in available and average plot size have bigger effects on arable land intensive use; to a small degree, family’s non-farm income affects labor intensity, yield-increasing input, and labor-saving input; the yield-increasing input decreases significantly when the householder has higher education attainment; the commercialization rates of agricultural products and the planting proportion of cash crops both have unstable influence on ALUI; the share of arable land rented in has few impacts on labor intensity, yield-increasing input, and labor-saving input. 3) There are no differences found in the internal impact mechanism of influence factors on the arable land intensive use behaviors of farm households. However, there are conspicuous disparities in the impact degrees and statistical significance based on varying economic levels. 4) Using the results as bases, this study proposes that the government should implement land management and agricultural policies according to local condition. And these policies should decrease land fragmentation to promote scale management of land and arable land use intensification.