Farmers' responses to the winter wheat fallow policy in the groundwater funnel area of China

Farmers' responses to the winter wheat cropping policy in groundwater funnel areas are the key factor in promoting fallow plans. Therefore, this study discusses the farmers' responses and the influencing factors for the winter wheat fallow policy in the Hebei groundwater funnel area of China by using an ordered multivariate logistic model; it aims to provide a theoretical basis for scientifically and rationally developing a rotation policy in the groundwater funnel area. The results revealed that the number of households, proportion of farmers, per capita area of cultivated land, and machinery used had a negative impact on support for the fallow policy. The dependency ratio and land fragmentation had a significant positive impact on support for the fallow policy. Occupation had the greatest marginal effect on the understanding of the fallow policy and satisfaction with fallow policy compensation, and the dependency ratio has the greatest marginal effect on support for the fallow policy. Finally, this study proposes policy recommendations including the transfer of the surplus labor force, stronger government supervision of fallow policy compensation, stronger cultural education and greater promotion of the fallow policy.