The impact of internet use on farmers’ chemical fertilizer application: the perspective on efficiency improvement

This study uses survey data for 1,366 rice farmers in the Jianghan Plain to examine the impact of Internet use on farmers' chemical fertilizer application. Key findings are as follows: First, Internet use significantly reduces the intensity of fertilizer application, and the result remains robust after various checks. On average, the Internet-using farmers reduce their chemical fertilizer use by 12.34%. Second, Internet use helps reduce chemical fertilizer application by promoting mechanization and enhancing productivity. Third, for younger farmers with higher education and larger-scale operations, the reduction effect of Internet use is more profound. Finally, this paper recommends that the government prioritize rural Internet infrastructure and tailored policies, considering farmers' diverse human capital and scale, to reduce chemical fertilizer use.