Abstract
Pesticide dependence is a major threat to food safety and local environment. Although numerous studies have explored different causes of pesticide dependence, few have examined how pesticides are locked into agricultural modernisation and rural transformation. Based on a case study of a Chinese village, this paper demonstrates how agricultural modernisation trajectory and rural changes have perpetuated the use of pesticides as necessities in agriculture as well as for farmers' livelihoods. Modern technologies, such as hybrid rice, conservation tillage, changes in crop structure, and reduction of intercropping all contribute highly towards pesticide dependence. The household responsibility system in China has provided the institutional foundation for increased pesticide use. Rural transformations driven by livelihoods diversification have created conducive social spaces for pesticide application. To step out of pesticide dependence, promotion of genetic diversity in agriculture, a reassessment of locational suitability of conservation tillage, institutional strengthening and the promotion of integrated pest management methods are suggested.
DOI
10.1080/13549839.2015.1050657
Publication Date
2015-06-11
Publication Title
Local Environment
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
ISSN
1469-6711
Embargo Period
2024-11-25
First Page
1
Last Page
20
Recommended Citation
Hu, Z., & Rahman, S. (2015) 'Beyond a bottle of liquid: pesticide dependence in transitional rural China', Local Environment, , pp. 1-20. Informa UK Limited: Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2015.1050657
Comments
peerreview_statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope. aims_and_scope_url: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=cloe20