The impact of property rights security perception and policy incentives on farmers' adoption of saline-alkali farmland improvement technologies–evidence in rural Xinjiang, China

Salinization of farmland poses a critical threat to sustainable agricultural development in arid and semi-arid regions. This study investigates how farmers' perceptions of property rights security influence the adoption of saline–alkali land improvement technologies in the context of China's “Separation of Three Rights” reform, with particular attention to the moderating role of policy incentives. The results show that: (1) Farmers' perceptions of property rights security significantly affect both the likelihood and intensity of technology adoption. Recognition of property rights certificates and understanding of future land policies promote adoption, whereas concerns over land expropriation risks hinder it. (2) Policy incentives significantly moderate these relationships, with agricultural technology training exerting the strongest effect on adoption intensity. (3) Heterogeneity analysis reveals that large-scale operators are more responsive to property rights security, resulting in higher adoption rates. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening property rights protection—through accelerated registration and stable policy expectations—and integrating targeted policy incentives to reduce adoption barriers. Differentiated support strategies should be designed, particularly for large-scale land operators, to foster sustainable land improvement in saline–alkali-affected regions.