In the heart of China’s Jilin Province, a quiet revolution is underway, one that could reshape the future of agriculture and animal husbandry not just in China, but across the globe. At the forefront of this transformation is He Xu, an economist from Jilin Agricultural University, whose recent study published in Agricultural Economics (AGRICECON) sheds light on a critical shift in farming practices.
For decades, the separation of agriculture and animal husbandry has been the norm in many parts of the world. However, this division has led to a host of environmental and economic challenges, hindering sustainable development and modernisation. Xu’s research, focusing on the micro-level of agricultural production, reveals a compelling narrative of reintegration and its potential benefits.
The study, based on extensive micro-survey data from Jilin Province, explores the factors influencing farmers’ choices to combine planting and breeding. The findings are clear: farmers are more likely to adopt this combined management mode when they have larger land management scales, stable cultivated land management rights, and access to robust policy insurance and breeding technology support for animal husbandry.
“The scale of land management and the stability of cultivated land management rights are crucial,” Xu explains. “Farmers who have these advantages are more inclined to integrate planting and breeding, leading to more sustainable and profitable agricultural practices.”
But the story doesn’t end with individual farmer choices. The research also highlights the mediating effects of animal husbandry breeding technology and regional heterogeneity. This means that the success of reintegrating agriculture and animal husbandry depends not just on individual decisions, but also on broader technological advancements and regional policies.
So, what does this mean for the future of agriculture and animal husbandry? The implications are vast. For one, it suggests that large-scale farmers could play a pivotal role in driving this transformation. By optimising planting structures, stabilising land management rights, and improving policy insurance and technical support, we can pave the way for a more sustainable and profitable agricultural sector.
Moreover, this research provides a theoretical framework and practical reference for other developing countries grappling with similar challenges. It offers a roadmap for reconstructing the relationship between agriculture and animal husbandry, one that prioritises sustainability and modernisation.
As we stand on the cusp of this agricultural revolution, one thing is clear: the future of farming is not about separation, but about integration. And with researchers like He Xu leading the way, that future looks brighter than ever.