Actuality and factors influencing farmer adoption of mechanized harvesting in typical maize ecoregions

To understand the current situation and limiting factors of application of mechanical harvesting of maize, and improve the mechanization level of whole process of maize production in China, this paper investigated the adoption of mechanical harvesting of maize in the main maize planting ecological regions (Helongjiang and Jilin in Northeast region, Xinjiang in Northwest region and Henan in Huanghuaihai region) through questionnaire survey. The influencing factors of adoption of mechanical harvesting, key problems in different regions and of different maize producers (farmers, cooperatives and agricultural technicians) were discussed. The results showed significant differences among regions in the use of mechanical harvesting of maize; the proportion of area where mechanized harvesting was used was highest in Heilongjiang and Xinjiang, with a >83.11% adoption rate. The adoption rate of Henan was 54.72% and that of Jilin was 21.51%, which was the lowest. Mechanized kernel harvesting was largely used in Xinjiang and in some farms in Heilongjiang Agricultural Reclamation, which was mainly due to the large planting scale (>6.67 hm²), harvest convenience, and low cost. Mechanized ear harvesting and threshing after drying was the main form of maize harvesting in Youyi Farm of Heilongjiang Agricultural Reclamation, most areas in Heilongjiang, and part of Huanghuaihai. Factors limiting the application of mechanized kernel harvesting in these areas included unsuitable maize cultivars for mechanical harvesting, no professional kernel-harvesting machine, drying-storage needed for immature grains. However, in these area, the time- and labor-saving and harvested ears easily to be store promoted farmers to adopt mechanized ear harvesting. In Jilin and some areas with small planting scale, artificial harvest still was used due to scattered block and strong habit of traditional practices. Farmers with higher incomes, fixed occupation, ancillary revenue, or agricultural implements were willing to adopt mechanized harvesting. Small farmland, low planting benefit and low family income were the main reasons for the low adoption rate of mechanized harvesting in the investigated regions. The investigation results suggested that planting area, ratio of maize revenue to family income, years using mechanized ear harvesting, marketing ways significantly influenced the diffusion and extension of mechanized harvesting technology. Further expansion of planting area and facilitating direct-selling of grains after harvest will highly significantly affect the behavior of farmers adopting mechanized kernel harvesting. To sum up, the scale and benefit of cultivated land management is the key to the implementation of maize mechanical harvesting technology. The government, scientific institutions and enterprises should strengthen cooperation according to local conditions, and give assistance and guidance from policy, technology, economy and concept, gradually improve the harvest efficiency and the whole mechanization level of maize in China.