Author: Zhen Lin
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Diss. no.RD-03-03
Year: 2003
Academic Program: Regional and Rural Development Planning (RRDP)
Type: Thesis (Ph.D.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2003
Examination Committee: Jayant Kumar Routray (Chairperson); Gopal B. Thapa, Soparth Pongquan, Michael A. Zoebi sch(Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: The North China Plain (NCP) is a foodgrain bowl of the country. To feed the growing population, farmers in the area have been using high inputs to increase crop production. Sustainability of such input intensive farming practices is being debated by researchers, planners and decision-makers. This case study in Ningjin county, Shandong province of the NCP attempts to provide an insight into this less studied dimension of agriculture by assessing local farming practices from three aspects: environmental, economic and socioinstitutional sustainability. Data were collected from both secondary and primary sources. Secondary data from statistical yearbooks and documents were collected from relevant government agents. Primary data were collected through household survey, focus group discussion, and interview of key informants and field observations. Altogether 270 households in four selected villages were surveyed. To assess sustainability of the farming practices, 20 location specific indicators covering all three aspects of sustainability were selected. Locally defined threshold levels for respective indicators are used to assess the performance of the indicators. Analytical tools employed include statistical tests, descriptive analysis, financial analysis, weighted average index construction, correlation and multiple regression analysis, and sensitivity analysis. Assessment of environmental sustainability: groundwater management, soil fertility and pests/diseases management were assessed. The study found that irrigation consumed most of groundwater resource. All of the farmers have adopted surface irrigation method by lifting groundwater from shallow wells. Amount of groundwater applied per irrigation frequency is significantly higher than recommended amount for all the major crops. Majority of farmers agreed with conservation of groundwater, but they have not realized the scarcity of groundwater resources. Several negative environmental effects have been found as perceived and graded by local farmers and supported
Scholarship Donor(s): Katholischer Akademischer Auslander-Dienst (KAAD)
Note: A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Phi losophy
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