Farm Household Pluriactivity, Factor Inputs, and Crop Structure Adjustment: Evidence from Sichuan Province, China

Farm household pluriactivity has become increasingly prevalent in China; however, its influence on crop structure remains insufficiently explored. This study examines the impact of farm household pluriactivity on crop structure in China, focusing on factor input mechanisms. Based on survey data from...

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Main Authors: Jianqiang Li, Qing Feng, Ziyi Ye, Hongming Liu, Yandong Guo, Kun Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Agriculture
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/13/1357
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author Jianqiang Li
Qing Feng
Ziyi Ye
Hongming Liu
Yandong Guo
Kun Zhou
author_facet Jianqiang Li
Qing Feng
Ziyi Ye
Hongming Liu
Yandong Guo
Kun Zhou
author_sort Jianqiang Li
collection DOAJ
description Farm household pluriactivity has become increasingly prevalent in China; however, its influence on crop structure remains insufficiently explored. This study examines the impact of farm household pluriactivity on crop structure in China, focusing on factor input mechanisms. Based on survey data from 473 farm households in Sichuan Province, this study employs ordinary least squares (OLS), two-stage least squares (2SLS), and mediation analyses to systematically assess the impact of pluriactivity on crop structure through factor input mechanisms. The analysis reveals three key findings. First, rather than reducing the grain planting area, an increase in part-time farming is associated with a significant rise in the proportion of grain cultivation. Second, factor inputs partially mediate this relationship: while pluriactivity tends to reduce staple crop cultivation through mechanisms such as cultivated land transfer-out, land abandonment, and increased non-agricultural labor input, it simultaneously promotes staple crop expansion via enhanced agricultural technical services. Third, heterogeneity tests indicate that the positive effect of pluriactivity on staple crop cultivation is especially pronounced among households in hilly areas and those that have adopted agricultural insurance. These findings provide valuable policy insights for fostering sustainable agricultural transitions and enhancing food security in developing regions.
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spelling doaj-art-6db4d2f490344090b307c310a5138db72025-08-20T03:16:47ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722025-06-011513135710.3390/agriculture15131357Farm Household Pluriactivity, Factor Inputs, and Crop Structure Adjustment: Evidence from Sichuan Province, ChinaJianqiang Li0Qing Feng1Ziyi Ye2Hongming Liu3Yandong Guo4Kun Zhou5College of Management, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaCollege of Management, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaCollege of Management, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaCollege of Management, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaCollege of Management, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaInstitute of Rural Development, Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences, Chengdu 610071, ChinaFarm household pluriactivity has become increasingly prevalent in China; however, its influence on crop structure remains insufficiently explored. This study examines the impact of farm household pluriactivity on crop structure in China, focusing on factor input mechanisms. Based on survey data from 473 farm households in Sichuan Province, this study employs ordinary least squares (OLS), two-stage least squares (2SLS), and mediation analyses to systematically assess the impact of pluriactivity on crop structure through factor input mechanisms. The analysis reveals three key findings. First, rather than reducing the grain planting area, an increase in part-time farming is associated with a significant rise in the proportion of grain cultivation. Second, factor inputs partially mediate this relationship: while pluriactivity tends to reduce staple crop cultivation through mechanisms such as cultivated land transfer-out, land abandonment, and increased non-agricultural labor input, it simultaneously promotes staple crop expansion via enhanced agricultural technical services. Third, heterogeneity tests indicate that the positive effect of pluriactivity on staple crop cultivation is especially pronounced among households in hilly areas and those that have adopted agricultural insurance. These findings provide valuable policy insights for fostering sustainable agricultural transitions and enhancing food security in developing regions.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/13/1357pluriactivityfactor inputsstaple crop cultivation behaviortopographical heterogeneity
spellingShingle Jianqiang Li
Qing Feng
Ziyi Ye
Hongming Liu
Yandong Guo
Kun Zhou
Farm Household Pluriactivity, Factor Inputs, and Crop Structure Adjustment: Evidence from Sichuan Province, China
Agriculture
pluriactivity
factor inputs
staple crop cultivation behavior
topographical heterogeneity
title Farm Household Pluriactivity, Factor Inputs, and Crop Structure Adjustment: Evidence from Sichuan Province, China
title_full Farm Household Pluriactivity, Factor Inputs, and Crop Structure Adjustment: Evidence from Sichuan Province, China
title_fullStr Farm Household Pluriactivity, Factor Inputs, and Crop Structure Adjustment: Evidence from Sichuan Province, China
title_full_unstemmed Farm Household Pluriactivity, Factor Inputs, and Crop Structure Adjustment: Evidence from Sichuan Province, China
title_short Farm Household Pluriactivity, Factor Inputs, and Crop Structure Adjustment: Evidence from Sichuan Province, China
title_sort farm household pluriactivity factor inputs and crop structure adjustment evidence from sichuan province china
topic pluriactivity
factor inputs
staple crop cultivation behavior
topographical heterogeneity
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/13/1357
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