Non-Farm Employment Experience, Risk Preferences, and Low-Carbon Agricultural Technology Adoption: Evidence from 1843 Grain Farmers in 14 Provinces in China

Guiding and encouraging farmers to adopt low-carbon agricultural technologies is highly significant for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating climate change, and achieving agricultural production development and food security. This study used survey data from 1843 grain farmers in 14 provinces of China to empirically analyze the impact of non-farm employment experience and risk preferences on grain farmers’ low-carbon agricultural technology (LCAT) adoption. The results show that for grain farmers: (1) non-farm employment experience significantly promoted the adopting of LCAT. The probability of adopting LCAT by those with non-farm experience is 23.5% higher than those without. (2) Non-farm employment experience reinforced their risk preferences and promoted the adoption of LCAT. The adoption probability of LCAT of those with high-risk preferences was 6.1% higher than those with low-risk preferences. (3) The impact of non-farm employment experience on adopting LCAT was more significant for those with high education and training. Non-farm employment experience outside the province and employment experience in the tertiary sector while working outside significantly affect grain farmers’ LCAT adoption.