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.