Circular Agriculture Research Articles

Valorization of treated swine wastewater and generated biomass by microalgae: Their effects and salt tolerance mechanisms on wheat seedling growth

The extensive use of mineral fertilizers has a negative impact on the environment, whereas wastewater and microalgal biomass can provide crops with nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and have the potential to be used as a source of fertilizers in circular agriculture. In this study, a step-by-step resource utilization study of algae-containing wastewater generated from microalgae treatment of swine wastewater was carried out. When wheat seedlings were cultivated in the effluent after microalgae separation, the root fresh weight, seedling fresh weight, and total seedling length were increased by 3.44%, 14.45%, and 13.64%, respectively, compared with that of the algae-containing wastewater, and there was no significant difference in seedling fresh weight, total seedling length, maximum quantum yields of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm), and performance index (PIABS) from that of the Hogland solution group, which has the potential to be an alternative liquid fertilizer. Under salt stress, microalgae extract increased the contents of GA3, IAA, ABA, and SA in wheat seedlings, antioxidant enzymes maintained high activity, and the PIABS value increased. Low-dose microalgae extract (1 mL/L) increased the root fresh weight, seedling fresh weight, longest seedling length, and total seedling length by 30.73%, 31.28%, 16.43%, and 28.85%, respectively. Algae extract can act as a plant biostimulant to regulate phytohormone levels to attenuate the damage of salt stress and promote growth.

A novel biochar-augmented enzymatic process for conversion of food waste to biofertilizers: Planting trial with leafy vegetable

The present study developed a novel biochar-augmented enzymatic approach for fast conversion of food waste to solid and liquid biofertilizers. By augmented with 10 % of biochar and mediated with 5 % of food waste-derived hydrolytic enzymes mixture (i.e. fungal mash), 100 kg of food waste could be converted into 22.3 kg of solid biofertilizer with a water content of 30 % and 55.0 kg of liquid biofertilizer, which fulfilled Chinese national standards for solid and liquid organic biofertilizers, respectively. Field plantation results showed that the Pak Choi grown on food waste-derived biofertilizers was comparable with that on commercial ones, in terms of the vegetable productivity and nutrient contents. It was further revealed that the application of food waste-derived biofertilizers did not change soil chemical properties but enriched microbial diversity. This study clearly indicated that the biochar-augmented enzymatic approach for food waste conversion to biofertilizers was technically feasible and economically viable towards circular agriculture economy.

Microalgal-bacterial immobilized co-culture as living biofilters for nutrient recovery from synthetic wastewater and their potential as biofertilizers

This study investigates nutrient recovery from synthetic municipal wastewater using co-immobilized cultures of Chlorella vulgaris TISTR 8580 (CV) and plant growth-promoting bacteria, Bacillus subtilis TISTR 1415 (BS) as living biofilters for a subsequent biofertilizer activity. The optimal condition for nutrient recovery was at the 1:1 ratio of CV/BS using mixed guar gum/carrageenan (GG/CG) binders. After 7-day wastewater treatment, the living biofilters removed 86.7 ± 0.5% of ammonium and 99.3 ± 0.3% of phosphates and were tested subsequently as biofertilizers for 20 days to grow selected plants. The highest optimal biomass and chlorophyll a content was 2 ± 0.3 g (CV/BS 3:1) and 12.4 ± 0.7 µg/g (CV/BS 1:1) from cucumber respectively, however, the close-to-neutral pH (8.0 ± 0.3) was observed from sunflower using CV/BS 1:1 living biofilters. Conclusively, the designed living biofilters exhibit the potential to recover nutrients from wastewater and be used as biofertilizers for circular agriculture.

Effect of wheat crops on the persistence and attenuation of antibiotic resistance genes in soil after swine wastewater application

Swine wastewater (SW) application introduces antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) into farmland soils. However, ARG attenuation in SW-fertigated soils, especially those influenced by staple crops and soil type, remains unclear. This study investigated twelve soil ARGs and one mobile genetic element (MGE) in sandy loam, loam, and silt loam soils before and after SW application in wheat-planted and unplanted soils. The results revealed an immediate increase in the abundance of ARGs in soil by two orders of magnitude above background levels following SW application. After SW application, the soil total ARG abundance was attenuated, reaching background levels at 54 days; However, more individual ARGs were detected above the detection limit than pre-application. Among the 13 genes, acc(6′)-lb, tetM, and tetO tended to persist in the soil during wheat harvest. ARG half-lives were up to four times longer in wheat-planted soils than in bare soils. Wheat planting decreased the persistence of acc(6′)-lb, ermB, ermF, and intI2 but increased the persistence of others such as sul1 and sul2. Soil type had no significant impact on ARG and MGE fates. Our findings emphasize the need for strategic SW application and the consideration of crop cultivation effects to mitigate ARG accumulation in farmland soils.

An overview of agro-industrial wastewater treatment using microbial fuel cells: Recent advancements

Discharge of agro-industrial wastewater causes severe damage to the environment due to the various hazardous components it contains. Progressive circular agriculture and industry involve closed cycles and zero-waste principles; therefore, waste treatment for subsequent reuse is of great interest. The microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a promising sustainable technology capable of treating wastewater at low cost without greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while simultaneously producing electricity. The principle behind MFCs is based on the conversion of chemical energy into electricity using electrochemically active bacteria (EAB) as a biocatalyst. This article presents an overview of the progress and recent advancements in MFCs as a pivotal technology for agro-industrial wastewater treatment with production of sustainable electricity, compared to conventional treatment processes. Furthermore, the fundamental aspects of the design, configuration, operation, and application of MFCs in wastewater treatment (i.e., removal of inorganic nutrients, nitrate, phosphate, sulfate, sulfide, ammonium, organics, dyes, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and petroleum) are comprehensively discussed. Despite the viability and potential of MFCs in treating agro-industrial wastewater and producing electricity, they face various limitations and significant challenges, which are highlighted in this review. Future opportunities and perspectives on MFC applications are also discussed. Further research is required to address MFC limitations, which could make them feasible and practicable for real-world applications. However, MFC technology is clearly an excellent option for simultaneous wastewater treatment and electricity production without the need for external energy sources.

Circular Economy Implementation in Dutch Agriculture: Assessing Sustainable Practices and Economic Impact

The implementation of circular economy principles in Dutch agriculture is a critical endeavor, requiring a thorough assessment of sustainable practices and economic impacts. This paper explores the landscape of circular agriculture, emphasizing principles such as resource efficiency, closed-loop systems, biodiversity conservation, and circular design in farming practices. It investigates the current sustainable practices in Dutch agriculture, providing insights into the adoption rates, successes, and challenges associated with these practices. A literature synthesis navigates global research on circular economy applications in agriculture, with a specific focus on Dutch practices, highlighting gaps and challenges in the existing literature. The methodological framework details the research design, criteria for evaluating sustainable practices, and a comprehensive approach for assessing economic impacts. In-depth analyses unveil specific circular practices in Dutch agriculture, assessing their adoption rates and exploring potential synergies with traditional farming methods. The economic impact section delves into a comprehensive evaluation of circular practices, considering short-term and long-term benefits and costs, job creation, market competitiveness, and sector resilience. Identifying challenges inhibiting circular agriculture adoption, including policy limitations, technological constraints, and cultural factors, precedes actionable strategies for seamless integration. Recommendations for policymakers, farmers, and stakeholders aim to address these challenges, fostering a balanced transition towards circularity. This paper provides a holistic perspective on circular agriculture in the Netherlands, contributing insights into sustainable practices, economic implications, and strategies for overcoming barriers. It underscores the importance of aligning environmental and economic dimensions for the successful advancement of circular agriculture.

Продовольственные отходы в социальных учреждениях: потери средств бюджетного финансирования

Circular agriculture considered as one of the forms of sustainable development of the agricultural sector. The essence of the proposed new approach in agriculture based on the reduction of agricultural waste and the ability to use a closed production cycle to increase economic, social and environmental efficiency. The author has previously developed an experimental business model for the circular economy of agriculture and the agri-food system using the example of the Komi Republic. The study revealed that the main problem inherent in the circular economy of agriculture, as the disposal of animal waste, is absent in the region. Taking into account the peculiarities of the region, other significant problems were found: the disposal of containers from food imported from other regions and the amount of discarded food purchased for state social institutions under Federal Law No. 44 «On the contract system in the field of procurement of goods, works, services to meet state and municipal needs». Based on surveys, it was revealed that in social institutions where free meals provided at the expense of the republican budget, the amount of food thrown away by students and patients ranges from 25 to 60%. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that for the Republic of Komi, for the first time, the losses of budget funds allocated for free meals in public institutions in the context of municipalities of the region were calculated. The article calculates the losses of budget funding from discarded food (food) in the areas of education, social protection and healthcare for 2017-2022. The calculations based on the data of requests, both to the relevant ministries of the Komi Republic, and to the administration of municipalities of urban districts and municipal districts. It is revealed that the loss of budget funding due to discarded food for 2017-2022 range from 1024.3 to 3073 million rubles. The practical significance of the introduction of this model in the regional economy of the republic will ensure a reduction in food losses, a decrease in the formation of food and non-food waste, which will increase the level of self-sufficiency in basic foodstuffs, the rational use of resources in the agricultural sector and the effective use of budgetary funds.

The transformative potential of circular agriculture initiatives in the North of the Netherlands

CONTEXTCircular agriculture is increasingly seen as a way to produce food while respecting planetary boundaries. The buzz around circular agriculture results in a wide variety of initiatives and experiments aimed at implementing circularity in practice. So far, no studies provide a systematic overview of ways in which circularity is implemented in practice and the associated transformative potential. OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study, therefore, is to analyse the transformative potential of circular agriculture initiatives within a regional context. In this study, we will address the following research questions: (1) which circular initiatives exist within the region, (2) to what extent do initiatives show transformative potential towards circular agriculture? METHODSWe created a systematic inventory of circular agricultural initiatives on a regional scale, alongside with a systematic empirical application of the framework, which builds on the concept of small wins and puts forward five concrete characteristics for transformative circular agriculture initiatives. We identified 171 circular agriculture initiatives in the North of the Netherlands and subsequently analysed 29 of these to determine their transformative potential. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe largest share of the 171 initiatives consists of primary producers, in particular dairy farmers. The in-depth analysis of 29 initiatives resulted in the following insights: many initiatives showed incremental, primarily technological changes and operate within the boundaries of the current system. Initiatives that show a higher transformative potential concerning the depth of change (or more ‘radical change’) are also likely to score higher on other dimensions of the framework (concrete outcomes, integration of circular agriculture principles, overcoming barriers, synergy technological and social change. We therefore endorse the importance of recognizing the initiatives with strong transformative potential and prevent that the implementation of circular agriculture remains focused on merely optimization within the current system while more fundamental changes are needed to address the sustainability challenges. SIGNIFICANCEThe results give insight into characteristics and transformative potential of circular agriculture initiatives which can help to identify where targeted interventions could be implemented to enhance the transformation. Our approach is thereby suitable to analyse the transformative potential of circular agriculture initiatives in other regions and can also be used to analyse the implementation of other sustainability ambitions.

Insights of Circular economics practices in rice cultivation and processing - a review

Reusing waste through various activities and efficient and effective use of resources have led to the circular economy as a further growth opportunity. The circular economy has spread in various directions like agriculture and industry. The main focus of circular economy is to minimize or eliminate the use of non-renewable inputs in a production system and to maximize or optimize the reuse of these materials within the same system. In addition, circular agriculture is expected to reduce environmental impacts through soil regeneration and input use. Activities in rice cultivation include sowing, fertilizing, watering, and harvesting, and these activities can be done using biological and other agricultural methods in an environmentally friendly way instead of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, and further minimizing the accumulation of waste. Burning rice straw and husks emits lot of CO2 into the environment. However, these can be used as raw materials for various industries. Rice residue is an excellent source of nutrients and beneficial for human health. Thus, circular economy methods can be used in rice cultivation by cultivating more productive and suitable rice varieties, reducing the amount of waste released into the environment in various ways, and using discarded waste as raw materials for industries. This study focuses on determining the applicability of circular economy methods to rice cultivation and processing. Accordingly, it appears that in the rice industry, circular economy methods are applied to reduce the release of unnecessary air and waste into the environment and effectively reuse the waste. This will create an eco-friendly and safe environment.

Ecological Circular Agriculture and Green Development

1) Identify the ecological and environmental problems facing agriculture; (2) Introduce the need and importance of developing organic farming and green development; (3) Model and technology of organic farming (recycling of waste resources; use of biodiversity; green substitution and reduction of chemical inputs, mitigation of greenhouse gases, etc.); (4) Regulation of policies and laws

Promoting the resource utilization of agricultural wastes in China with public-private-partnership mode: An evolutionary game perspective

The agricultural waste is large in number and the utilization rate is extremely low in China, requiring remediated. Formatting the project system and introducing the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode are inevitable to realize the specialization and socialization in resource utilization of agricultural wastes. However, the confusion of financing, management, responsibilities of participants and difficulties in coordinating interests limit the expected effect of the resource utilization of agricultural wastes (RUAW). To this end, combined with the examination of actual cases, this paper constructs a tripartite evolutionary game model of RUAW PPP projects among local government, social capital and farmers, then conducts simulation and case study. We find that the local government does not supervise, social capital acts opportunistically, and farmers choose to cooperate is the evolutionary stable situation, and the cost of supervision for local government and the reward and punishment mechanism of local government to social capital will largely influence the strategy choice of the stakeholders. Strengthening the local government's sense of responsibility and regulatory capacity, optimizing the reward and punishment system, vigorously making technological innovations, and improving the operational capacity of the special purpose vehicle can effectively improve the efficiency of cooperation. The results of the study have some guiding significance for further improving the level of circular agriculture in China even in developing countries and forming a more complete system of resource utilization of agricultural wastes.

Circular agriculture practices enhance phosphorus recovery for large-scale commercial farms under tropical conditions

AbstractThe objective of this research was to assess the adoption of circular agricultural practices as a tool to improve the recovery use efficiency of phosphorus (P) applied to tropical soils. Two Brazilian farms (1 and 2) that are under long-term no-till and cropped year-round with cover and/or cash crops were used in this study. Soybean, maize and common bean were grown during the summer season (October–February), followed by wheat, common bean and maize during the winter season (February–August). Brachiaria ruziziensis was intercropped with off-season maize. Farm 1 also grew sweet potatoes in rotation with grains. In the integrated crop–livestock system, the leftovers from the silos and crop residues were used to feed beef cattle, while the residues not used in the confinement were turned into compost and applied in the production fields. During the last 3 years, 80 (farm 1) and 71 (farm 2) kg/ha/year of P-fertilizer was applied to meet the demand of the different crops and 56% (farm 1) and 58% (farm 2) of P-fertilizer was exported through the crops and livestock. P-recovery represented more than 50% on both farms. Around 60% of the P consumed by animals was excreted in the form of faeces and urine and the animal manure was used to produce organic compost. Therefore, most of the P consumed by the livestock was returned back to the field to serve as organic fertilizer. This study showed that circular agricultural practices can enhance P-recovery.

Nutrient Solution from Aqueous Extracts as an Alternative to Fertigation in Hydroponic

The reintegration of agro-waste into the same agriculture site fulfils the objective of the European Bio-Economy Strategy: to reduce transport costs, waste volume, and the need for mineral fertilizers. One of the fundamental principles in sustainable agriculture is the recycling of crop residues through composting or vermicomposting. From this process, it is possible to obtain organic matter for the production of aqueous extracts (tea) that can be used as a source of nutrients in fertigation as an alternative to mineral fertilizers. The objective of this research was to evaluate the use of an aerated or non-aerated aqueous extract as a recirculating nutrient solution in a hydroponic culture (NFT) of lettuce. For this, the test method was compared to hydroponic cultivation with a conventional nutrient solution. The conventional nutrient solution contained minerals or synthetic fertilizers and the aqueous extracts of vermicompost from vegetal residues of horticultural crops. The evolution of the chemical composition of the nutrient solutions during cultivation was analyzed, obtaining adequate concentrations of NO3−, K+, and Ca2+ and taking possible imbalances in nutrients such as P-H2PO4− into consideration. Plants fertigated with an organic and aerated nutrient solution obtained good yields and improvements in quality by having six times less N-NO3− in edible leaves compared to plants exposed to the mineral treatment. The preparation of aqueous extracts as a source of nutrients opens the door to circular agriculture to make processes in intensive production systems more efficient.

Why Small-Scale Circular Agriculture Is Central to Food Security and Environmental Sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa? The Case of Ghana

Why Small-Scale Circular Agriculture Is Central to Food Security and Environmental Sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa? The Case of Ghana

Ammonia water as a biobased fertiliser: Evaluating agronomic and environmental performance for Lactuca sativa compared to synthetic fertilisers

The European Union is actively promoting circular agriculture, aiming to reduce external inputs, close nutrient cycles, and minimise harmful emissions. This shift has spotlighted bio-based fertilisers (BBFs) as a potential substitute for energy-intensive and environmentally detrimental synthetic fertilisers. Nevertheless, research on resilience and eco-friendliness of BBFs remains limited. To address this, novel manure-derived BBF - ammonia water (AW) was examined in terms of agronomic (crop yield, nitrogen (N) fertiliser replacement value (NFRV)) and environmental (N2O, CO2, CH4, NH3) parameters in a lettuce pot cultivation. The AW had an initial alkaline pH of 11.2 (AWpHini), and another variant with pH adjusted to 5 (AWpH5) was tested for performance comparison against calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN). The agronomic efficiency was tested at three incremental N rates (30%, 60%, and 100% of crop N demand). AWpHini resulted in similar crop yield and N uptake compared to CAN for all N rates. NFRV for all N rates of AWphini exceeded 90%, however, significant reverse trend was noted for AWph5 (NFRV <90% for all rates) likely due to product's low pH affecting soil microbes. In terms of environmental performance, gaseous emissions for AWphini (52.2 CO2eq) showed significantly lower (p < 0.05) trend in comparison to CAN (120.2 CO2eq), AWph5 (114.1 CO2eq) and urea (101.3 CO2eq). The effect of acidification was observed in NH3 emissions, where AWpH5 resulted in significantly lower (p < 0.05) emissions compared to AWpHini. More research in real-world field conditions with different crops is needed to confirm ammonia water's potential as a synthetic nitrogen fertiliser replacement.

Soil amendment with insect frass and exuviae affects rhizosphere bacterial community, shoot growth and carbon/nitrogen ratio of a brassicaceous plant

AimsIn terrestrial ecosystems, deposition of insect frass and cadavers in the soil influences soil characteristics, including microbial community composition, with consequences for plant growth and development. Insect frass and exuviae are also a major residual stream from insect production for food and feed, that may be used as soil amendment. However, only few studies have thoroughly examined the effect of soil amendment with insect frass and exuviae on rhizosphere microbial communities and plant growth.MethodsWe studied the effects of soil amendment with frass and/or exuviae originating from three insect species, Tenebrio molitor, Acheta domesticus, and Hermetia illucens, at three different concentrations, compared to synthetic fertiliser. At several time points we analysed the rhizosphere bacterial community and assessed multiple plant-growth parameters of a brassicaceous plant.ResultsSoil amendment with frass and/or exuviae improved plant growth at least as well as synthetic fertiliser, A. domesticus exuviae having the strongest impact. The origin (insect species), type (frass or exuviae) and concentration of soil amendment influenced the effects on plant traits. The rhizosphere bacterial community differed between amended and unamended soil. Bacterial genera that contain plant growth-promoting species were more abundant in the rhizosphere of plants grown in amended soil.ConclusionsAddition of insect frass and/or exuviae to the soil differentially affects the bacterial rhizosphere community and promotes plant growth in these soils, underlining their unique roles in the aboveground-belowground feedback loop, and their potential use as soil amendment in circular agriculture.

Developing an Evaluation Framework for Circular Agriculture: A Pathway to Sustainable Farming

This article examines how circularity can be measured and evaluated in the agricultural sector. Circularity represents a key approach for promoting sustainability in agriculture and for the efficient management of resources. Through a comprehensive review of the scientific literature and employing rigorous selection methods, we identify the relevant indicators and tools for assessing circularity in the agri-food chain. The initial bibliometric analysis was performed by using a Biblioshiny instrument from R package tool Bibliometrics. Additionally, this article analyzes the methodologies based on the indicators and metrics that can be applied to measure the restorative capacity and effectiveness of the agricultural system. Most current research follows the 3R principles of the circular economy and establishes an evaluation index system based on the regional characteristics. Methods such as the multi-criteria decision analysis, data envelopment analysis, and life cycle assessment are the most used to date. For the micro-level analysis, system dynamics, material flow analysis, and emergy analysis were the most suitable. Our results provide a clear perspective on the current state of the research in the field of measuring circularity in agriculture and lay the groundwork for the future development of effective strategies for implementing the circular economy in this crucial sector.

Estimation of Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Emission Reduction Potential of Beijing During the 14th Five-Year Plan Period Under the Background of "Carbon Peak and Neutrality"

To achieve the goal of "carbon peak and neutrality," the strict requirements for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions control in the agricultural sector were recommended in relevant plans for Beijing during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. Through collecting agricultural activity data and calculating and screening the emission factors, the amount and emission characteristics of agricultural GHG emissions in Beijing in 2020 were estimated and set as the baseline condition. On this basis, the GHG emissions in 2025 with optimized measurements implemented, which were selected in combination with the natural conditions and planting-breeding mode of Beijing, were set as the reduction condition. The emission reduction potential and its distribution during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period were predicted simultaneously. Meanwhile, the reduction effects on the GHG emissions of optimized measurements were evaluated. In addition, relevant policy recommendations on GHG reduction were proposed accordingly. The results revealed that the total agricultural GHG emissions in Beijing were estimated to be 456000 t (CO2-eq) in 2020, primarily from sources of animal intestinal fermentation and manure management, with contribution rates of 50.7% and 26.7%, respectively. Spatially, it was mainly distributed in districts with large livestock and poultry breeding scales, such as Shunyi District, Miyun District, and Yanqing District, etc. It was predicted that in 2025, the total agricultural GHG emissions would be 349000 t (CO2-eq), and the emission reduction potential in the 14th Five-Year Plan period would be 107000 t (CO2-eq). Animal intestinal fermentation would be the emission source with the largest reduction potential (60000 tons, CO2-eq), followed by the emission source of animal manure management (37000 tons, CO2-eq). Adjusting fodder composition and optimizing manure management were analyzed to be the most effective optimized measurements for agricultural GHG emission reduction. Moreover, the emission reduction potential of CH4 would be greater than that of N2O. The emission reduction potential would be mainly distributed in Miyun District, Shunyi District, Yanqing District, Fangshan District, Tongzhou District, and other suburbs with large livestock and poultry breeding scales, accounting for more than 10% of the total emission reduction potential for each. These regions with large emission reduction potential should be prioritized and then the assessments should be extended to the whole city. The measurements were recommended as follows:① the research and promotion of technologies such as fodder optimization and the efficient treatment of manure should be strengthened, ② the scope of the combination of planting and breeding model should be expanded to promote the development of circular agriculture, and ③ relevant standards, guidelines, and specifications for green and low-carbon agriculture should be formulated, and the regulatory and policy system for synergy reduction of agricultural pollution and GHG should be developed.

Water Fertilizer Integration Equipment Research Status and Development Trend

Integrated water and fertilizer technology can accurately adjust the mix of water and fertilizer on demand, and then through the irrigation system, water and fertilizer are delivered to the roots of the crop in quantity, on time, and with precision. As an important part of the integrated system of water and fertilizer, the fertilizer has a critical influence on the quality of the fertilizing system. Nowadays, the development of intelligent agriculture has become a general trend of agricultural development. By exploring the development process of water and fertilizer mixing, this paper sorted out the research status of various kinds of fertilizers in China, compared different mixing methods of water and fertilizer, and analyzed and summarized the excellent working performance of different fertilizers. Secondly, the current research emphases were discussed, including precision fertilization technology, intelligent control, comprehensive utilization of resources and circular agriculture. Then, the development trend of integrated water and fertilizer equipment is put forward, including the improvement of precision fertilization, the development of multifunctional integrated equipment, and the application of data management and decision support system. Through continuous technological innovation and application, the integrated equipment of water and fertilizer is expected to play a greater role in the agricultural field.

Information Acquisition Ability and Farmers’ Herd Behavior in Rice–Crayfish Coculture System Adoption

Rice–crayfish coculture systems (RCSs) have been widely promoted in China as an efficient circular agriculture model that can simultaneously improve rice quality, raise the efficiency of utilization of resources, and increase farmers’ incomes. However, the herd behavior of farmers in the adoption of the rice–crayfish coculture system warrants more attention, as the rational adoption of this system by farmers is a prerequisite for achieving the above objectives. This paper analyses the formation mechanism of farmers’ herd behavior based on information cascade theory. Using micro-survey data from 603 farmers in China and a bivariate probit model, we examine the existence of herding effects in the adoption of RCSs by farmers and the inhibitory effect of information acquisition capability on herd behavior. To address possible endogeneity issues, we also conducted a robustness test using the IV-probit model. Furthermore, we tested for between-group differences in agricultural income between farmers with herding adoption and non-herding adoption. The study reveals that the larger the number of prior adopters, the higher the probability of blind adoption behavior by farmers, indicating the existence of a herd effect. Information acquisition ability could significantly inhibit the herd behavior of farmers in the adoption of RCSs. We also found that farmers’ herd behavior in the adoption of these systems was not economically rational. Based on the research findings, we proposed several constructive suggestions for policy perfection.