J. (Jiayou) Zhong: "Exploring options for agricultural development: A case study in China"

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12 Feb 2008 11:00
Unit: Wageningen University
Location: Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation: Wageningen University
Co Promotor: Prof.dr.ir. H. van Keulen (Promotor), Dr.ir. H. Hengsdijk

 China’s agriculture faces a series of challenges, i.e. guaranteeing national food security, increasing farmer’s income and reducing the adverse effects on environment and human health associated with the use of agrochemicals. At the same time, the availability of resources decreases. The objective of this study is to operationalize a methodology to assess the effectiveness of new crop and livestock technologies in attaining rural development goals, using Jiangxi Province as a case study area.
A regional land use model, based on linear programming techniques, is used to assess the contribution of the alternative cropping and livestock systems to rural development goals. The results indicate that adoption of Super Rice varieties is most effective in attaining national grain security, while integration of Super Rice with improved beef cattle fattening systems is most effective in increasing income. Both, SSNM and IPM are most effective in reducing adverse environmental and human health effects, but hardly improve economic returns. Mechanization of rice production strongly reduces labour requirements in agriculture, leads to higher returns to labour and provides opportunities to work off-farm. When both, alternative crop and livestock systems are adopted concurrently, the goals of grain security, increasing rural income and reducing environmental pollution can be realized simultaneously. Results of this study contribute to the formulation of agricultural policies and a research agenda aiming at stimulating rural development in China.

Zhong, J.Y., 2008. Exploring options for agricultural development: A case study in China. PhD thesis, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands. With summaries in English and Dutch, 196 pp.
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