Does conservation tillage adoption improve farmers’ agricultural income? A case study of the rice and fish co-cultivation system in Jianghan Plain, China

Abstract

This study analyses the income effects of farm households' conservation tillage adoption on agricultural income in China. Based on survey data of 704 farm households from Jianghan Plain, central China, Heckman two-stage and propensity score matching models are employed to quantitatively measure the income effect of farm households' adoption of rice and fish co-cultivation, including six aquatic animals. The results reveal that most farmers have adopted rice and fish co-cultivation methods, but with limited adoption intensity. The number of farmers engaged in co-cultivation and farmers' degree of knowledge and cognition significantly influence adoption and increase adoption intensity. Compared with the non-adoption group, the agricultural income of rice and fish co-cultivation system adoption improved adopters’ incomes by 35.15%. In conclusion, rice and fish co-cultivation publicity, technical training and compensation are highly beneficial and recommended.