Stimulating smart automation of rice seeding in China: An exploration of planter adoption influencing factors

Widespread adoption of advanced agricultural machinery among smallholder farmers is one way for China to enhance productivity in the agricultural sector. Especially, full mechanization and smart automation of rice production are of great importance for food security in China and beyond. However, farmers face many challenges in adopting such machinery. This study explores farm and household factors that influence adoption and their relative importance in the context of adoption of smart rice seed planters in peri-urban Shanghai. A survey targeting rice farmers' adoption of such planters was implemented in 2020 that contained questions regarding awareness and adoption of the available machines. The inverse probability weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA) approach was used to examine the survey data. The results show that farming households more dependent on rice production, having larger per capita expenditure, etc., are more likely to adopt such planters. However, farming households with high non-farm income shares or non-rice area shares in their agricultural portfolios are less likely to adopt such machinery. Dedication to farming and rice production appears influential for adoption, especially given the peri-urban context. Based on the results, this study suggests that subsidy policies should target farmers who are more focused on rice cultivation, raising their income levels for inducing the use of new machinery. Policies should be also designed to attract new talent into the modern agricultural workforce. Moreover, field demonstrations and training of using new machinery should be strengthened. The study offers policy insights for smart transformation of rice production in China and beyond.