Drivers of straw management in rural households: Options for the development of the bioenergy sector in China

Abstract

The generation of bioenergy based on crop residues constitutes a significant opportunity for the advancement of renewable energy, which in turn would enhance the performance of the food and energy sectors for sustainable development. Although the number of bioenergy projects in rural areas has grown considerably in the last decade, many obstacles are still constraining the development of the sector. Among these limitations, the insufficient amount of crop residues available is one of the most prominent issues of straw-based bioenergy. In this context, understanding the drivers of farmer decision-making related to straw management decisions is key for the development of straw-based bioenergy. This work took one of the main agricultural areas in China to analyze the main drivers of straw management decisions in rural households and their institutional context within the developing straw-based industry. For this purpose, the study employed content analysis over the data collected from semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and official publications released by the government. We found that farmer decision-making related to straw management is mainly influenced by farmland conditions; crop types; economic costs; weather conditions; government planning, support, and monitoring; social networks; and individual attributes. The government plays a key role in shaping these factors through the targets for straw usage, regulation of straw markets, and broader agricultural policies. More diversified targets for straw use and more balanced policies between straw retention and collection can encourage stakeholders to increase the utilization rate of straw for bioenergy and other purposes. Similarly, measures related to agricultural mechanization, land consolidation, and spatial planning can also contribute to the development of straw markets. These findings provide relevant information for the design and improvement of current crop straw management programs and a more optimal utilization of local biomass resources, which are necessary for achieving the socioeconomic and environmental benefits of bioenergy for sustainable development.