Evaluating adoption of climate smart agricultural practices among farmers in the Fujian Province, China.

Abstract

This study examined the adaptation level of climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices among the farmers and the factors influencing the adoption of CSA practices in the Fujian Province, China. In this study, questionnaire survey data was analyzed, and 600 respondents were randomly selected as sample through randomly sampling technique. Descriptive statistics, adoption level index (ALI), and binary logit model were used for data analyses. These results indicated a moderate adoption level of CSA practices in the Fujian Province. Use of improved varieties, conservation tillage, fallow cropping, new technology, and intercropping were prevalent CSA practices among the farmers in the study area. In addition, farmers were not very interested in using herbicides on their farmlands, and only 20% of the respondents used herbicides in the Fujian Province. Except for Nindge village in the Fujian Province, all other studied villages have adapted to using organic fertilizer (around 50% of total respondents). However, more than 60% of respondents have claimed they still use chemical weed/insect/disease control in their farmlands. Age and working experience of farmers were the most influencing factors affecting the increase in the adoption of CSA practices among the farmers, and to the results of the binary logit model, education was not significant. Landholding, loan access, and access to agricultural extensions and organizations considerably impacted the adoption level of CSA practices among the farmers in the Fujian Province. Finally, this study will be helpful to decision-makers to make appropriate decisions to minimize the impact of climate change on agriculture and improve the standard of human life and food security.