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| Use of Human Excreta as Manure in Rural China |
| LIU Ying, HUANG Ji-kun , Precious Zikhali |
1.School of Economics and Management, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, P.R.China
2.Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences,
Beijing 100101, P.R.China
3.International Water Management Institute, Southern Africa Regio nal Office, Pretoria 0127, South Africa |
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摘要 Empirical research has shown that the use of manure significantly improves crop yield, soil fertility and water and moisture conservation. Despite these documented benefits, however, there is a concern on the downward trend of manure use in agriculture in China. This paper examines factors contributing to this downward trend, with a particular focus on human excreta used in agriculture. Empirical analysis based on data from stratified random sampling of rural households in five provinces of China shows that about 85% of human excreta was still used as manure in agriculture in 2007 which was less than a decade ago when nearly all human excreta was used as manure. Econometric results suggest that income growth, rising population density and improvement in rural transportation significantly contribute to declining use of human excreta as manure in agriculture. These results imply that the current downward trend will continue given China’s rising economic growth, urbanization and rural infrastructural improvement.
Abstract Empirical research has shown that the use of manure significantly improves crop yield, soil fertility and water and moisture conservation. Despite these documented benefits, however, there is a concern on the downward trend of manure use in agriculture in China. This paper examines factors contributing to this downward trend, with a particular focus on human excreta used in agriculture. Empirical analysis based on data from stratified random sampling of rural households in five provinces of China shows that about 85% of human excreta was still used as manure in agriculture in 2007 which was less than a decade ago when nearly all human excreta was used as manure. Econometric results suggest that income growth, rising population density and improvement in rural transportation significantly contribute to declining use of human excreta as manure in agriculture. These results imply that the current downward trend will continue given China’s rising economic growth, urbanization and rural infrastructural improvement.
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Received: 02 December 2012
Accepted:
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| Fund: This research is supported by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (71103013, 70925001); the IGSNRR- CAS (Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2012ZD2008); the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China (YWF-12-JRJC-001). |
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Corresponding Authors:
HUANG Ji-kun, Tel: +86-10-64889440, Fax: +86-10-64856533, E-mail: jkhuang.ccap@igsnrr.ac.cn
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| About author: LIU Ying, Tel: +86-10-82339123, E-mail: Liuying@buaa.edu.cn |
Cite this article:
LIU Ying, HUANG Ji-kun , Precious Zikhali.
2014.
Use of Human Excreta as Manure in Rural China. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 13(2): 434-442.
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