Agricultural technology training, chemical fertilizer reduction and farmers' income increase: an empirical study based on the farmer survey data in Jiangxi Province

Key Points

• This study aims to analyze how agricultural technology training affects farmers' chemical fertilizer reduction behavior and its subsequent income effects.
• Analyzed data from 926 rice farmers in Jiangxi Province
• Utilized binary probit model and propensity score matching methods
• Employed mediating effect models to explore influence mechanisms
• Applied endogenous transformation models to assess income effects
• Agricultural technology training significantly promotes chemical fertilizer reduction behavior among farmers
• Findings remain robust after considering endogeneity and other factors
• Training enhances farmers' environmental awareness and organic fertilizer application
• Elder, highly educated, and larger-scale farmers showed significant reductions, while the younger generation and smallholders showed weaker effects
• Reduction in fertilizer use correlates with increased agricultural income, with counterfactual analysis indicating income would drop without reduction.