Factors influencing Chinese farmers’ proper pesticide application in agricultural products – A review

Pesticide residues in agricultural products are a persistent food safety issue in China. The current review aims to get a comprehensive understanding of factors influencing farmers' proper pesticide application in China. To achieve that, the study developed an analytical framework based on the principles of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the techno-managerial approach. Following the framework, the study conducted a semi-structured literature review and yielded multiple factors related to farmers (i.e. their characteristics and TPB elements), external circumstances (i.e. governmental supervision, the roles of suppliers and the support of extension services) and technological conditions (i.e. equipment and environmental conditions), which can influence pesticide application of farmers. To improve farmers’ behaviour, a stepwise approach of interventions targeted to different actors was proposed. Future research on the effectiveness of the application of the stepwise interventions on pesticide use is suggested.