Farmers’ Cognition and Behavioral Response towards Cultivated Land Quality Protection in Northeast China

• Main Authors: Hongbin Liu, Yuepeng Zhou
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-06-01
• Series: Sustainability
• Subjects: cultivated land quality protection (CLQP); farmer’s cognition; behavioral response
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/6/1905

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impacts of farmers’ cognition of cultivated land quality protection (CLQP) on their behavioral response to land use practices. To this end, this paper establishes a theoretical framework linking farmers’ cognition (on CLQP status, policies and patterns) to their behavioral response (choices of farming methods, land inputs and agricultural waste disposal methods). A field survey was conducted in suburban areas in Liaoning province, Northeast China. A total of 240 households were selected using stratified random sampling. Results show that: (i) in regards to household cognition on CLQP, although a majority of households agree that CLQP is important and have a strong willingness to protect cultivated land quality, their cognition on the future prospect of CLQP is not optimistic; (ii) with regard to household responses to land use practices, a number of households have realized the importance of crop rotation, however, the use of chemical fertilizers is mostly based on past experience and is often excessive. Besides, the disposal of agricultural waste is inappropriate; (iii) household cognition on CLQP policies is found to be the most powerful factor that could lead to an improvement of CLQP practices. It is thus concluded that the government should help households adopt effective farming methods which are environmentally-friendly and sustainable by enhancing publicity of CLQP policies and strengthening farmers’ confidence in CLQP.