Effects of agricultural extension system on promoting conservation agriculture in Shaanxi Plain, China

Abstract

Understanding the service quality of the agricultural extension system (AES) and its role in promoting conservation agriculture (CA) is crucial to enhancing farmers' response to climate change and improving sustainable agriculture. This study conducted surveys on agricultural information channels accessed by farmers, the perception of farmers and AES workers regarding AES, as well as factors that influence the AES promoting farmers' CA adoption via 363 respondents (262 farmers and 101 AES workers) in the Shaanxi Plain in northern China. Data were analyzed by logistic regression and covariance base structural equation model (CB-SEM). The result showed that farmers trust their neighbors the most as the agricultural information channel, followed by model farmers, village leaders, retailers, and information and communication technology (ICT), while they trust the AES staff the least. Their trust is significantly affected by gender, age, years of education received, household income, and cooperative qualifications. Significant gaps exist in the perception of farmers and AES workers regarding the performance of AES, farmers have significantly lower satisfaction with the availability, accessibility, and relevance of AES. AES has no direct effect on farmers' CA adoption, but it indirectly promotes farmers' CA adoption through the mediating effects by farmers' environmental awareness (21.4%) and the chain mediating effect of farmers' information exchange and environmental awareness (19.2%). These results suggest that there is still a communication gap between farmers and AES workers, and farmers' information exchange and environmental awareness need to be considered to improve the efficiency of AES and farmers’ CA adoption.