Factors influencing farmers’ adoption of eco-friendly fertilization technology in grain production: an integrated spatial–econometric analysis in China

Abstract Encouraging more farmers to adopt eco-friendly fertilization technology is essential for achieving sustainable grain production. To systematically explore the factors influencing farmers' adoption of such technology, based on a logistic regression model and three mutually complementary spatial analysis models, our study proposes a spatial-econometric analytical framework. Using data from household surveys, farmland quality investigations, remote-sensing images, and a digital elevation model, we test our study framework in 30 neighboring villages in Taojiang County, China. The results indicate that major socioeconomic influential factors include the age and education level of the household head, farm size, and degree of farmland fragmentation; geographic influential factors involve landform characteristics, drainage capacity, irrigation capacity, and topsoil thickness. In addition, the type of technology promoter and the farmer's perceived usefulness of the technology play important roles affecting farmers' technology adoption willingness. To increase the probability of technology adoption, more energy should be spent on relatively younger and better-educated farmers and farmers who occupy a larger cultivation area. Non-adopter-dominated areas should also be targeted during the technology promotion process. Further, local policymakers should consider strong measures that encourage adopters to become active technology promoters.