Survey Data on Apple Farming in China: Agronomic Management, Advisory Channels, and Profitability

Description

Abstract

Survey data were collected from 382 apple farmers across eight major apple-producing provinces in China, capturing a comprehensive range of variables including demographic backgrounds, orchard characteristics, agronomic advice channels, management strategies, decision-making factors, and profitability. The primary objective of this survey is to identify and evaluate the key factors that influence the formulation of various advanced management strategies throughout the entire apple production process. Additionally, the survey aimed to assess the impact of these management strategy on farm’s productivity and profitability, and farmer’s satisfaction. Data collection was conducted through structured questionnaires within a Mini Program on the WeChat platform, with responses completed during face-to-face guidance facilitated by investigator. This dataset is crucial for understanding the influence of demographic factors and agronomic advice channels on the effective promotion of advanced management strategies. By analysing this dataset, researchers can gain valuable insights into the barriers and motivators influencing adoption decisions in orchard management. The dataset will support the development of tailored agricultural policies and services, prompting the sustainable upgrading of the industry.

Methods

The surveys were conducted via WeChat Mini Program (“Wenjuan Star”) and telephone interviews. Ten local coordinators from eight provinces were selected for their agronomic knowledge and ability to speak the local dialects. They were trained in the online survey program, the research topics, goals, questions, and how to conduct the interviews, including operating the WeChat Mini Program. In the end, 352 questionnaires were completed through face-to-face interviews, and 30 questionnaires were completed via telephone interviews, with investigators filling out the questionnaires based on the conversation content. Thus, a total of 382 questionnaires were gathered. The data were later downloaded from the servers and exported into Excel for statistics analysis. Participating farmers received 30 CNY (equivalent to 4.2 US dollars) for completing the survey. Each interview took approximately 5 to 30 minutes. The share of questionnaires included in the survey corresponded to the share of the planting area in each province, which is why many questionnaires came from Shaanxi Province.

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