Why some restricted pesticides are still chosen by some farmers in China? Empirical evidence from a survey of vegetable and apple growers

- Farmers' decision to use restricted pesticides largely comes from retailers' advice.
- Most farmers have a little knowledge about class II restricted pesticides.
- Farmers will use less restricted pesticides if they can identify more of them.
- Farmers will use less restricted pesticides if they get more education years.

Restricted pesticides1 applied by farmers play a prime role for the quality of fresh agro-products. A household survey in unrestricted pesticides applied and restricted pesticides applied were carried out in 2011 from a randomly selected sample of 472 small-scale farmers, its aim is to analyze why some farmers still choose restricted pesticides based on Lewin's field theory. We estimate the choice by utilizing a Poisson regression model. The results show that most farmers have a little knowledge about class II restricted pesticides and related pesticides regulation. Pesticide retailers play a key role in influencing farmers' choice of restricted pesticides, farmers' education, restricted pesticides knowledge, age, reading pesticides label carefully or not and planting years play a minor role in influencing farmers' restricted pesticides choice. The results will helpful to update pesticides regulation and pesticides extension policy.