Farmers' behaviors, perceptions and determinants of fertilizer application in China: Evidence from six eastern provincial-level regions

Based on a survey to 560 household farms in six provincial regions of eastern China, this paper studies farmers' behaviors on the application of fertilizer, including the total amounts, main components of chemical fertilizer and the use of organic fertilizer. Then, it summarizes the farmers' perceptions, ranging from fertilizer choosing, field application, disposal of the used packages and awareness on the possible consequences of over fertilization. Nine indicators are adopted as the predictors, including information on the householders, land-using and planting structure, household income and geographical location. Fertilization Coefficient is formulated to isolate effects of farms' geographical location and planting structure, hence capture farmers' propensities on fertilizing. Through the adoption of binary logistic regression models, this paper identifies significant determinants behind behaviors of the farmers. As to the use of organic fertilizer, although demonstrated as statistically insignificant, possible impacts of chemical fertilization and breeding of livestock and poultry are included as predictors, in addition to the above indicators. Finally, a variety of policy recommendations are put forward, from increasing fertilization efficiency of both chemical and organic fertilizer, to improving farmers' capability and awareness of scientific fertilization.